International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO 1977

Bratislava, Czechoslovakia · 8 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Salts M2S2Ox of sulphur oxoacids

    Compare three salts of a composition \(\ce{M2S2O_x}\) where x are three different small integers and M is an alkali metal. To each of the three salts apply some of the following assertions:

    a) The \(\ce{O-O}\) bond is characteristic for the anion.
    b) The \(\ce{S-S}\) bond is characteristic for the anion.
    c) The \(\ce{S-O-S}\) bond is characteristic for the anion.
    d) It is formed by thermal decomposition of hydrogen sulphate.
    e) It is formed by anodic oxidation of hydrogen sulphate.
    f) It is formed by the reaction of an aqueous solution of sulphite with sulphur.
    g) Its aqueous solution dissolves silver bromide.
    h) Neutralisation of its aqueous solution with hydroxide \(\ce{MOH}\) yields sulphate \(\ce{M2SO4}\).
    i) In aqueous solution, it is able to oxidise Mn(II) salt to permanganate.

    Problems:

    1.1 Fill in the correct x values in the formulas given in the Table and indicate in the corresponding square by appropriate letters those assertions that may be applied to each of the given salts:

    \(\ce{M2S2O_{\square}}\)
    \(\ce{M2S2O_{\square}}\)
    \(\ce{M2S2O_{\square}}\)

    1.2 Write structural formulas of the anions of the above three salts and assign \(\sigma\)-bonds and \(\pi\)-bonds in them.

    1.3 Write the chemical equations expressing the processes involved in the assertions under the letters d, e, f, g, h, i.

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Permanganate and hydrogen peroxide

    The reaction of permanganate ions with hydrogen peroxide in an acidic solution gives Mn(II) salt and at the same time oxygen is released:

    Figure 1

    Problems:

    1. The possible ratios of the reactants in the above equations express:

    a) all equations ☐
    b) only some of the equations ☐
    c) only one equation ☐
    d) none ☐

    Indicate the correct assertion by a cross in the corresponding square and explain your decision.

    1. Which of the reactants is an oxidising agent and which is a reducing one?

    2. How much potassium permanganate is needed to release 112 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) of oxygen at STP conditions from an excess of hydrogen peroxide in acidic solution?

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Isomeric cyclobutanedicarboxylic acids

    The letters A, B, C, D, and E represent isomeric cyclobutane dicarboxylic acid, one of them being a racemic form.

    It was shown that:

    a) only compound C forms a cyclic anhydride easily,

    b) B yields a cyclic anhydride only at higher temperatures,

    c) of all the acids under investigation, only A releases carbon dioxide when heated,

    d) D and E do not change at higher temperatures,

    e) 2 moles of diethyl ester of malonic acid when reacted with sodium ethoxide (\(\ce{EtONa}\)), are transformed to sodium salt which by reaction with methylene iodide (\(\ce{CH2I2}\)) yields a tetraester \(\ce{C15H24O8}\). This new ester gives a tetraester \(\ce{C16H24O8}\) in the reaction with 2 moles of sodium ethoxide and 1 mole of methylene iodide. The last mentioned tetraester is transformed by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent acidification to a tetracarboxylic acid which when heated, gives a mixture of B and E.

    Problems:

    3.1 Give formulas corresponding to the letters A, B, C, D, and E. Mark the group which is above the plane of the cycle

    Figure 1

    , that under the plane with

    Figure 2

    For example:

    Figure 3

    3.2 Express processes a), b), and c) by chemical equations.

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Hydrolysis of an optically active ester C6H12O2

    An optically active ester (11.6 g) having the summary formula \(\ce{C6H12O2}\), was hydrolysed by heating with an excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. After terminating the hydrolysis the alkaline reaction mixture was several times extracted with ether. The aqueous solution was not optically active. The united ether extracts were dried with anhydrous magnesium sulphate. The ether solution was filtrated, ether was distilled off from it and the residue was redistilled. 7.4 g (100 %) of a liquid boiling at 100 °C was obtained.

    Problems:

    1. Write the structural formula of the ester.
    2. What would be the structure of an ester with identical summary formula, i. e. \(\ce{C6H12O2}\), if the aqueous solution after the alkaline hydrolysis obtained in the above mentioned way, were optically active?
    3. Write down equations for the alkaline hydrolysis of both esters with sodium hydroxide solution.

    Official English text of the problem.

  5. Problem 5: Solubility of two copper(I) salts in a buffer

    Two copper(I) salts of the organic acids \(\ce{HA}\) and \(\ce{HB}\), slightly soluble in water, form a saturated solution in buffer of a given pH.

    Problems:

    5.1 What will be the concentration of \(\ce{Cu+}\) cations in the solution if the solubility products of the two salts are \(K_{\mathrm{s}}(\ce{CuA})\) and \(K_{\mathrm{s}}(\ce{CuB})\) and the ionisation constants of the acids are \(K_{\mathrm{a}}(\ce{HA})\) and \(K_{\mathrm{a}}(\ce{HB})\)?

    Official English text of the problem.

  6. Problem 6: Determination of glycine

    Amino acids can be determined by measuring the volume of nitrogen released in their reaction with nitrous acid (Van Slyke's method), for example:

    Figure 1

    Another method consists of the reaction of amino acids with a volumetric solution of perchloric acid, for example:

    Figure 2

    The excess of the perchloric acid is determined then by titration with a volumetric solution of sodium acetate (carried out in a non-aqueous solution).

    50.0 cm³ of a 0.100-normal solution of perchloric acid were added to a sample of glycine in glacial acetic acid. The excess of the perchloric acid was determined after the reaction by titration with 0.150-normal volumetric solution of sodium acetate. The consumption was 16.0 cm³.

    Problem:

    6.1 What would be the volume of the nitrogen released at a pressure of 102 658 Pa and a temperature of 20 °C when assumed that the same quantity of sample were analysed by the Van Slyke's method?

    Official English text of the problem.

  7. Problem 7: Photosynthesis reversed in a galvanic cell

    Photosynthesis by be summarised by the overall equation:

    Figure 1

    for which values of \(\Delta H\) and \(\Delta S\) at \(25\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) are as follows:

    \[ \Delta H=2.816\times10^6\ \mathrm{J},\qquad \Delta S=-182\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}\quad\text{or} \]

    \(\Delta H=2.816\times10^6\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}},\quad \Delta S=-182\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}\,mol^{-1}}\) if \(\Delta H\) and \(\Delta S\) values are related to one mole of reaction changes.

    Imagine that there have been devised electrodes that would allow selective reduction of oxygen to water and oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide in a galvanic cell, i. e a reverse process when compared with that of the photosynthetic reaction.

    Problems:

    7.1 What will be the electromotive force of the cell in which light energy would be transformed to electric energy by means of the photosynthetic reaction?

    Note: In the envelope you can find the relation between the electromotive force and the change of free enthalpy of the reaction. (Attention: If you open the envelope you lose some points.)

    7.2 In case we would want to quantify the symbol "light" in the equation of photosynthesis, we would ask: how many moles of photons with wavelength for example \(500\ \mathrm{nm}\) take part in the above reaction? Calculate.

    7.3 Calculate, what would be the electric power of a square swimming pool with a side of \(10\ \mathrm{m}\) containing green algae capable of the photosynthetic reaction if under average illumination a current of \(1\ \mathrm{mA}\) can be expected from the area of \(1\ \mathrm{cm^2}\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  8. Problem 8: Carbon monoxide and haemoglobin

    Among other factors, deterioration of the environment is manifested also by air pollution with carbon monoxide. Its most powerful source are combustion engines. The toxicity of carbon monoxide is caused by the fact that it forms with the blood dye - haemoglobin (\(\ce{Hb}\)), the compound carbonyl haemoglobin (\(\ce{HbCO}\)):

    Figure 1

    The chemical bond in carbonyl haemoglobin is about 200 times stronger than that in oxyhaemoglobin (\(\ce{HbO2}\)) originating under common conditions. Consequently, haemoglobin cannot be used in oxygen transfer. The lack of oxygen starts to be felt from 50 ppm carbon monoxide in the air, i. e. 10 % carbonyl haemoglobin in blood.

    Air oxygen dissolves in blood in the lungs and its concentration under common conditions is kept at \(1.6\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) by breathing. The concentration of haemoglobin in the blood of lung capillaries is also constant and is equal to \(8\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)

    Problems:

    8.1 Calculate the rate of oxyhaemoglobin formation if the rate constant is \(k=2.1\times10^{6}\ \mathrm{dm^{3}\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\) (at \(37\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) – normal body temperature).

    8.2 In some cases (carbon monoxide poisoning) an increase of the rate of oxyhaemoglobin formation up to \(1.1\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\) is needed.

    a) Calculate the required concentration of oxygen assuming that the concentration of haemoglobin in blood is constant.

    b) Suggest of practical solution on the assumption that the concentration of oxygen in blood is proportional to the pressure of oxygen entering the lungs.

    Official English text of the problem.