Inorganic Chemistry Teaching Resources
3D Periodic Table of Radii Structure Database
Chime Radii Now Works with Internet Explorer 6
Periodic
trends in the radii of elements and their ions are a common topic in general
and more advanced inorganic chemistry courses. As an inorganic chemist I like
to think of the periodic table as three dimensional, involving both elements
and their oxidation states. Here is a depiction of radii of elements and their
ions as a Chime www page. You must obtain Chime for your browser. Then
view this page and try the various options in the right frame. Note that you
can also manipulate the image by using your mouse in the left frame. As
currently displayed, the radii are those collected in the periodic table
database program "KC? Discoverer" for the Journal of Chemical
Education: Software". This display was developed using RasMol
and the model Chime pages of Eric Martz.
The color scheme obtained with the top "all radii" button is
related to the charge on the atom and atoms with each charge type are presented
as a plane and a color:
+3 ions are red and are the smallest for a particular
element. They are furthest forward.
+2 ions are orange.
+1 ions are yellow.
neutral atoms are blue.
-1 ions are green.
-2 ions are white.
Van der Waals
radii (non-bonded interactions) are purple. They are furthest back.
Use your mouse (left button) to rotate the table and see the planes separately.
The line dividing the two frames can be shifted with your mouse to give more room for the table or the commands. Zoom the table to fit your display. A list of mouse commands is available at the bottom of the left frame. Use a "Back" command to return to the Chime buttons.
Labels can be turned on to identify the elements. This is particularly useful for charges for which there are relatively few examples, such as -2.
Other buttons allow selection of only parts of the periodic table (rows, columns, lanthanides, and actinides) or only certain planes (atomic charges). Only 1 element (Cu) can be selected individually to show the trend over 4 charge states. Rotate these displays 90 degrees with your mouse to see the trend with charge. Columns (groups) or other single elements can be added on request.
There are two buttons that color the atoms by the sections of the periodic table, but do not differentiate by atomic charge. The description of the colors and categories are in the captions to the buttons.
Please let me know if you have any problems, comments or ideas for enhancements.
Structure Database Now including metalloproteins
3BiCl2-1.JPG)
This link will
take you to a a database
of 337 different structures. They are produced to be viewed and measured
with the Chime Viewer. These are all experimental results, and are designed for
viewing and study of molecular shapes and dimensions. Possible projects include
comparison of measured and predicted bond lengths and bond angles, testing of
VSEPR predictions, and analysis of steric influences.
3BiCl2-1.JPG)
Links of Note
WebElements Periodic Table More Periodic Tables Chart of the Nuclides
VSEPR Tutorials: Sheffield Purdue Isomers of Coordination Compounds
Atomic Orbitals: VRML Kentucky
Collections of Molecular Models: Okanagan College Cabrillo College
Chemistry Teaching Resources A collection of links, especially to graphical images
Washington State University, Department of Chemistry
Washington State University Home Page
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Last update: March 29, 2004
Created by: Scot
Wherland (scot_wherland@wsu.edu)
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