Definitions - Inorganic Chemistry II - AQA Chemistry A-level

Acidic solution

Solution with pH 0-6; e.g. P4O10 + H2O → H3PO4

Alkaline solution

Solution with pH 8-14; e.g. Na2O + H2O → 2NaOH

Amphoteric

Substance reacting as both acid and base; e.g. Al2O3

Oxides

Compounds with oxygen bonded to another element

Dissociate

To split into ions

Adsorption

Formation of weak bonds on catalyst surface

Autocatalysis

Product catalysing its own reaction

Bidentate ligand

Ligand forming two coordinate bonds; e.g. ethane-1,2-diamine

Calibration curve

Plot for colorimetry to measure unknown concentrations

Catalyst poisoning

Impurities blocking catalyst active sites

Cis-trans isomerism

Stereoisomerism in octahedral complexes

Cisplatin

Square planar compound used in cancer treatment

Colorimeter

Instrument measuring light absorption

Complex

Central metal surrounded by coordinated ligands

Contact Process

Industrial sulfuric acid production with vanadium(V) oxide catalyst

Coordinate bond

Covalent bond where both electrons come from one atom

Coordination number

Number of coordinate bonds with central metal ion

d-block

Middle periodic table block with transition metals

Heterogeneous catalysts

Catalysts in different phase from reactants

Homogeneous catalysts

Catalysts in same phase as reactants

Ligand

Atom or molecule forming coordinate bond with metal ion

Ligand substitution

Replacement of one ligand by another

Monodentate ligand

Ligand forming one coordinate bond; e.g. H2O

Multidentate ligand

Ligand forming multiple coordinate bonds