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The Tutor and Student reviewed concepts in chemical kinetics, including equilibrium constants, integrated rate laws, and ligand exchange reactions (inert vs. labile). They also discussed electron transfer mechanisms (inner and outer sphere) and practiced solving related problems from sample exam papers.

The Tutor and Student reviewed concepts of acid-base theory, focusing on Lewis definitions, charge density, and acidic complexes. They then delved into ligand exchange reactions and the Hard-Soft Acid-Base (HSAB) principle. The session concluded with an introduction to reaction kinetics, rate laws, and the distinction between elementary and complex reactions, with plans to continue this topic and related concepts in future sessions.

The session reviewed IUPAC nomenclature for coordination compounds, including ligand naming, metal naming conventions based on charge, and the use of prefixes. The tutor and student also practiced determining formula from names and vice versa, and briefly touched upon isomerism (facial and meridonial). Future topics planned include optical isomerism, magnetism, and color properties, as well as moving to Module 2 on kinetics.

The Tutor guided the Student through Molecular Orbital (MO) theory, explaining its advantages over VBT and VSEPR. They constructed MO diagrams for homonuclear diatomic molecules like H2, He2, Cl2, and O2, calculating bond orders. The session concluded with an introduction to MO diagrams for heteronuclear molecules (HF, NaCl) and a discussion of upcoming topics. The Student was encouraged to practice drawing MO diagrams and solving related problems.

The Student and Tutor explored Crystal Field Theory, including its assumptions, the splitting of d orbitals in octahedral complexes, and the calculation of Crystal Field Stabilization Energy (CFSE). They practiced determining high spin and low spin complexes and analyzed Jahn-Teller distortion, with plans to continue with molecular orbital theory in subsequent sessions.

The session focused on valence bond theory, sigma and pi bonds, and the limitations of valence bond theory and introduction to crystal field theory. The Student learned about hybridization, molecular geometry, and the differences between sigma and pi bonds. The Student will continue with crystal field theory in the next session, covering strong and weak field ligands and their applications.