This Subject Spotlight provides an insightful introduction into inorganic chemistry, a branch of chemistry that investigates the synthesis and behaviour of inorganic and organometallic compounds - essentially, any chemical compound except carbon-based organic compounds. Often, chemistry can sound abstract, but in reality, chemistry is all around us, from the food we eat to the oxygen we breathe. Throughout the four episodes, you’ll explore atoms and their subatomic particles — protons, neutrons, and electrons — and learn how electrons occupy orbitals (s, p, d, f) that shape bonding and molecular structure. You’ll see how the periodic table is organised, why elements in the same group behave similarly, and how we can predict their reactivity. You’ll also be introduced to powerful analytical techniques such as Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), which help scientists investigate molecular structures. Through proton and carbon NMR, you’ll discover how chemists map hydrogen and carbon environments in compounds, with applications in medicine, materials science, and forensic analysis. Overall, you’ll see how chemistry is a marriage of theory and practice, opening pathways to exciting careers across a variety of sectors.
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Dr Martina Whitehead is a Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry in the Department of Physical and Life Sciences at the School of Applied Sciences. She is also a member of the Structural, Molecular, and Dynamic Modelling Centre. Martina has contributed significantly to the field of chemistry research, with several publications on Google Scholar.
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