Descriptive chemistry is the study of the reactions and properties of the elements and their compounds. Because there are over 100 elements and because countless compounds are known, it is a formidable task to learn all of the known compounds and their reactions. The proper way to go about learning descriptive inorganic chemistry is not to blindly memorize this information, but to make use of our knowledge of atomic and periodic properties to help us. For example, we know that ionization energy decreases down a column and increases from left to right in the periodic table. This trend can be used, for instance, to learn about the relative metallic character of the elements. Armed with our knowledge of periodic properties and an understanding of how the periodic table is constructed, we can predict the stoichiometries of simple compounds and have a feel for the properties they ought to exhibit.

It is also important to realize that while there are countless reactions that could be learned there are only a few types of reactions and a few classes of compounds that we are focusing on. The reactions we are focusing on are electron transfer (oxidation-reduction), acid-base, displacement reactions and addition reactions. The classes of compounds we are mostly limiting ourselves to are the elements themselves, and their oxides, hydroxides and hydrides.

Throughout the module, and also collected at the end, are questions to test your knowledge of descriptive chemistry. There are also occasional photographs and videos, some of which are of materials and reactions you saw in lab.

For each group of the periodic table there is a capsule summary that lists some of the more important general properties of that group. Categorizing material like this is a better approach to mastering this material than simply trying to memorize it.