Arrow Pushing in Inorganic Chemistry - by Abhik Ghosh & Steffen Berg (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Involved as it is with 95% of the periodic table, inorganic chemistry is one of the foundational subjects of scientific study. Inorganic catalysts are used in crucial industrial processes and the field, to a significant extent, also forms the basis of nanotechnology. Unfortunately, the subject is not a popular one for undergraduates. This book aims to take a step to change this state of affairs by presenting a mechanistic, logical introduction to the subject.

Organic teaching places heavy emphasis on reaction mechanisms - "arrow-pushing" - and the authors of this book have found that a mechanistic approach works just as well for elementary inorganic chemistry. As opposed to listening to formal lectures or learning the material by heart, by teaching students to recognize common inorganic species as electrophiles and nucleophiles, coupled with organic-style arrow-pushing, this book serves as a gentle and stimulating introduction to inorganic chemistry, providing students with the knowledge and opportunity to solve inorganic reaction mechanisms.
- The first book to apply the arrow-pushing method to inorganic chemistry teaching
- With the reaction mechanisms approach ("arrow-pushing"), students will no longer have to rely on memorization as a device for learning this subject, but will instead have a logical foundation for this area of study
- Teaches students to recognize common inorganic species as electrophiles and nucleophiles, coupled with organic-style arrow-pushing
- Provides a degree of integration with what students learn in organic chemistry, facilitating learning of this subject
- Serves as an invaluable companion to any introductory inorganic chemistry textbook

From the Back Cover

The first book to apply the arrow-pushing method to inorganic chemistry teaching

... It's a real delight to see that this fundamental approach indeed works beautifully in inorganic chemistry. ... It makes one wonder why it hadn't been "discovered' sooner. - Professor Carl C. Wamser, Portland State University.

... Students will learn where electrons want to go and their appreciation of how reactions occur will be greatly enhanced. ... - Professor John T. Groves, Princeton University

I urge instructors to try the Ghosh-Berg method when faced with teaching the dreaded "descriptive" section of the inorganic course. Arrow pushing not only is great fun, students who try it may actually learn main group chemistry! - Professor Harry Gray, California Institute of Technology

Inorganic chemistry is a foundational subject of scientific study. However, the sheer size, encyclopedic presentation and memorization-heavy nature of typical textbooks have made it a formidable subject among undergraduates. Shifting gears by applying a mechanistic introduction to the subject, Arrow-Pushing in Inorganic Chemistry: A Logical Approach to the Chemistry of the Main-Group Elements provides students a gentle, logical and fun way to approach the vast body of facts that is inorganic chemistry.

A valuable companion to any introductory inorganic chemistry textbook, Arrow Pushing in Inorganic Chemistry A Logical Approach to the Chemistry of the Main-Group Elements:

Devotes one chapter to each group of the main-group elements

• Teaches students to recognize common inorganic species as electrophiles and nucleophiles, coupled with organic-style arrow-pushing
• Provides a high degree of integration with organic chemistry, thus helping students build on their prior knowledge
• Offers a stimulating mix of classic content and cutting-edge discoveries

This excellent companion text makes inorganic chemistry more approachable and exciting for students. It's also ideal for professionals looking for an up-to-date refresher of the field and for scientists from other disciplines, including organic and physical chemists, biochemists, pharmaceutical scientists, physicists and engineers, who are new to the field.

About the Author

Steffen Berg and Abhik Ghosh are chemists based at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway. They share a passion for chemical education, and are particularly interested in developing methods to help high school students and undergraduates understand difficult concepts.