I. Reading Exercises:

Exercise 1. Read and memorize using a dictionary:

reaction pathways, octet rule, carbon, electron-deficient structure, carbocation, lanthanides, transition metals, d-orbitals, ligand substitution, ligand dissociation, water exchange, redox reaction, atom-transfer reaction, oxidant, reductant

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1) What is the problem of mechanistic inorganic chemistry?

2) What is the difference between the reactions of elements heavier than carbon and lighter than C?

3) What influences the pathways?

4) What classes of redox reaction do you know?

Exercise 3. Match the left part with the right:

1. A fundamental redox reaction	a) for different classes of compounds.
2. The chemistry of the lathanides mirrors	b) is “self-exchange”.
3. The rates of water exchange varies	c) many aspects of chemistry.
4. The mechanisms of reactions are discussed differently for	d) by 20 orders of magnitude across the periodic table.

II. Speaking Exercises:

Exercise 1. Describe electron-deficient structure; octet rule; d-orbitals role; free and bound water exchange; atom-transfer reaction using the suggested words and expressions as in example:

electron-deficient structure

lighter; carbon; carbocation; species; associative; pathways

example: Elements lighter than carbon (B, Be, Li) as well as Al and Mg often form electron-deficient structures that are electronically akin to carbocations. Such electron-deficient species tend to react via associative pathways.

octet rule

heavier elements; compounds; mechanism; reaction; organic compounds

d-orbitals role

bounding; pathways; to influence; rates of ligand substitution; rates of ligand dissociation; coordination chemistry

free and bound water exchange

mechanistic transition metal chemistry; kinetic lability; prototypical complexes; isotopically enriched water; by 20 orders; lanthanide complexes; slowest

atom-transfer reaction

two classes; oxidative addition; reductive elimination; electron transfer; self-exchange; generative reaction; permanganate; relative manganate

Exercise 2. Ask questions to the given answers:

1) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: An overarching aspect of mechanistic transition metal chemistry is the kinetic lability of the complex.

2) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: Redox reactions are relevant for the transition elements.

3) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: The mechanisms of their reactions differ from organic compounds for this reason.

III. Writing Exercises:

Exercise 1. Compose a story on one of the topics (up to 40 words):

“The connection of inorganic and organic chemistry”

“Associative and dissociative pathways”

“Redox reactions”