Teaching Structural Physical Chemistry Using Adequate Strategies

Within this study we propose a few examples of student-centred exercises to be used when applying in teaching and learning structural physical chemistry. These exercises imply to compute the bond orders using molecular orbitals method for σ homonuclear and heteronuclear bonds and for π polycentric bonds from organic conjugated systems. The values obtained for the diatomic molecules bonds and their cations and anions, metals from primary and secondary groups and organic compounds containing nitrogen atoms are further correlated with some properties and applications of these substances. These exercises also prove that structural and energetic indices, calculated by molecular orbitals method support acid, oxidant and electrophilic character of investigated diazonium cations, and these static indices of reactivity underpin the description of stability of these compounds on which depend their uses in coupling reactions.