IChO 1979 · Theory problem 3

Chemical processes in five mixtures of reagents (ionic and organic equations)

Which chemical processes can take place in the interaction of:

a) aluminium ammonium sulphate with baryta water,

b) potassium chromate, ferrous chloride and sulphuric acid,

c) calcinated soda and sodium hydrogen sulphate,

d) 4-bromoethyl benzene and chlorine,

e) n-propyl alcohol, phenol and concentrated sulphuric acid?

Write ionic equations for the reactions that proceed in aqueous solutions. For the other chemical reactions write complete equations and indicate the type of the reaction. Indicate the differences in the reaction conditions for those reactions that may lead to the formation of various substances.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • a) Barium sulphate and aluminium hydroxide precipitate, and ammonia is liberated. Excess hydroxide dissolves the aluminium hydroxide as tetrahydroxoaluminate.
  • b) Acidified chromate oxidizes iron(II) to iron(III), while chromium(VI) is reduced to chromium(III): \[ \boxed{\ce{CrO4^2- + 3Fe^2+ + 8H+ -> Cr^3+ + 3Fe^3+ + 4H2O}} \]
  • c) One acid equivalent per carbonate ion gives hydrogen carbonate; two give carbon dioxide and water. Hydrogen sulphate becomes sulphate in both cases.
  • d) Chlorination with a Lewis-acid catalyst in the dark substitutes the aromatic ring, preferentially ortho to the ethyl group. Photochemical chlorination preferentially substitutes the benzylic position, giving racemic 1-bromo-4-(1-chloroethyl)benzene.
  • e) Depending on temperature and proportions, possible processes include formation of propyl hydrogen sulphate, intermolecular dehydration to ethers, elimination to propene, and ortho/para sulphonation of phenol. If generated propene remains in contact with phenol and acid, ring alkylation can also give ortho- and para-isopropylphenol.

Names and SMILES for the species and organic products are supplied below.

Solution

SMILES for salts describe ionic formula units; they do not describe crystal lattices. Aqueous metal-ion notation below suppresses coordinated water. Common species are water, \(\ce{H2O}\), O; hydrogen ion, \(\ce{H+}\), [H+]; and hydroxide ion, \(\ce{OH-}\), [OH-].

a) Aluminium ammonium sulphate with baryta water

Aluminium ammonium sulphate has the salt formula \(\ce{NH4Al(SO4)2}\), [NH4+].[Al+3].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]. Baryta water is aqueous barium hydroxide, \(\ce{Ba(OH)2}\), [Ba+2].[OH-].[OH-].

The reacting ions are ammonium, [NH4+]; aluminium(III), [Al+3]; barium(II), [Ba+2]; sulphate, [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]; and hydroxide.

Three processes must be considered.

  1. Precipitation of barium sulphate \[ \boxed{\ce{Ba^2+ + SO4^2- -> BaSO4(s)}} \] Barium sulphate, [Ba+2].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-], is sparingly soluble.

  2. Precipitation of aluminium hydroxide \[ \boxed{\ce{Al^3+ + 3OH- -> Al(OH)3(s)}} \] Aluminium hydroxide, [Al+3].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-], initially forms a precipitate.

  3. Conversion of ammonium to ammonia \[ \boxed{\ce{NH4+ + OH- -> NH3 + H2O}} \] The product is ammonia, N. Warming assists its escape from solution.

Aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric. With sufficiently excess hydroxide, it dissolves:

\[ \boxed{\ce{Al(OH)3(s) + OH- <=> [Al(OH)4]-}} \]

The product is tetrahydroxoaluminate, [Al-](O)(O)(O)O, with approximately tetrahedral coordination around aluminium. The formal charge placement in this SMILES does not represent aluminium’s oxidation state, which remains \(+3\).

Thus the aluminium-containing product depends on the amount of baryta water: a hydroxide precipitate at intermediate alkalinity, and dissolved aluminate in sufficient excess alkali. Barium sulphate remains precipitated.

b) Potassium chromate, ferrous chloride and sulphuric acid

The reagents are:

Name Formula SMILES
Potassium chromate \(\ce{K2CrO4}\) [K+].[K+].[O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-]
Ferrous chloride, or iron(II) chloride \(\ce{FeCl2}\) [Fe+2].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Sulphuric acid \(\ce{H2SO4}\) OS(=O)(=O)O

Chromate ion, [O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-], contains chromium in oxidation state \(+6\). It accepts three electrons to form chromium(III) ion, [Cr+3]. Each iron(II) ion, [Fe+2], loses one electron to form iron(III) ion, [Fe+3].

The half-equations are

\[ \ce{CrO4^2- + 8H+ + 3e- -> Cr^3+ + 4H2O} \]

and

\[ \ce{Fe^2+ -> Fe^3+ + e-}. \]

Multiplying the second by three and adding gives

\[ \boxed{\ce{CrO4^2- + 3Fe^2+ + 8H+ -> Cr^3+ + 3Fe^3+ + 4H2O}}. \]

This is an oxidation–reduction reaction. The exact stoichiometric requirement is three moles of iron(II) per mole of chromate.

Acidification also shifts the chromate–dichromate equilibrium:

\[ \ce{2CrO4^2- + 2H+ <=> Cr2O7^2- + H2O}. \]

Dichromate ion has SMILES [O-][Cr](=O)(=O)O[Cr](=O)(=O)[O-]. Using this form, the equivalent redox equation is

\[ \ce{Cr2O7^2- + 6Fe^2+ + 14H+ -> 2Cr^3+ + 6Fe^3+ + 7H2O}. \]

Potassium ion, [K+], chloride ion, [Cl-], and sulphate are spectator ions in the principal redox reaction. Sufficient acidity also keeps the trivalent-metal products from precipitating as hydroxides.

c) Calcinated soda and sodium hydrogen sulphate

“Calcinated soda” means anhydrous sodium carbonate, \(\ce{Na2CO3}\), [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C(=O)[O-]. Sodium hydrogen sulphate is \(\ce{NaHSO4}\), [Na+].OS(=O)(=O)[O-].

The relevant ions are carbonate, [O-]C(=O)[O-]; hydrogen sulphate, OS(=O)(=O)[O-]; and the spectator sodium ion, [Na+].

Hydrogen sulphate supplies one acidic proton per ion. Carbonate can accept two protons, successively.

With one mole of hydrogen sulphate per mole of carbonate, the net reaction is

\[ \boxed{\ce{CO3^2- + HSO4- -> HCO3- + SO4^2-}}. \]

The carbon-containing product is hydrogen carbonate, also called bicarbonate, O=C(O)[O-]. Cool conditions favor retaining it in solution.

Addition of a second acid equivalent gives

\[ \boxed{\ce{HCO3- + HSO4- -> CO2(g) + H2O + SO4^2-}}. \]

Carbon dioxide has SMILES O=C=O. The overall equation with two acid equivalents is

\[ \boxed{\ce{CO3^2- + 2HSO4- -> CO2(g) + H2O + 2SO4^2-}}. \]

These are acid–base reactions, with gas evolution in the second stage. Heating and allowing carbon dioxide to escape also favor its removal from bicarbonate-containing solutions:

\[ \ce{2HCO3- ->[\Delta] CO3^2- + CO2(g) + H2O}. \]

d) 4-Bromoethyl benzene and chlorine

The substrate is interpreted as 1-bromo-4-ethylbenzene, \(\ce{4-BrC6H4CH2CH3}\), CCc1ccc(Br)cc1.

Chlorine is \(\ce{Cl2}\), ClCl. Hydrogen chloride, \(\ce{HCl}\), [H]Cl, accompanies each substitution.

The relevant organic products are:

Product SMILES
4-Bromo-2-chloro-1-ethylbenzene: chlorine ortho to ethyl CCc1c(Cl)cc(Br)cc1
1-Bromo-2-chloro-4-ethylbenzene: chlorine ortho to bromine CCc1cc(Cl)c(Br)cc1
1-Bromo-4-(1-chloroethyl)benzene, the benzylic product C[C@H](Cl)c1ccc(Br)cc1 and C[C@@H](Cl)c1ccc(Br)cc1
1-Bromo-4-(2-chloroethyl)benzene, the terminal-chain product ClCCc1ccc(Br)cc1
1-Bromo-4-(1,1-dichloroethyl)benzene CC(Cl)(Cl)c1ccc(Br)cc1

Aromatic substitution. In the dark, with a Lewis-acid catalyst such as iron(III) chloride, \(\ce{FeCl3}\), [Fe+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-], electrophilic aromatic substitution occurs:

\[ \ce{4-BrC6H4CH2CH3 + Cl2 ->[FeCl3][dark] 2-Cl-4-BrC6H3CH2CH3 + HCl}. \]

Here the ring positions in the formula are numbered from the ethyl-bearing carbon. Ethyl is an activating ortho/para director. Its para position is occupied, so the equivalent positions 2 and 6 are favored.

Bromine is deactivating but also ortho/para directing. Consequently, the other distinct ring-monochlorination product is possible:

\[ \ce{4-BrC6H4CH2CH3 + Cl2 ->[FeCl3][dark] 3-Cl-4-BrC6H3CH2CH3 + HCl}. \]

The ethyl-directed product is normally favored; the statement does not determine an exact isomer ratio.

Side-chain substitution. Under irradiation, without the Lewis-acid conditions used for ring chlorination, a radical chain reaction occurs preferentially at the benzylic carbon:

\[ \boxed{\ce{4-BrC6H4CH2CH3 + Cl2 ->[h\nu] 4-BrC6H4CHClCH3 + HCl}}. \]

Abstraction of a benzylic hydrogen is favored because the resulting radical is resonance-stabilized. The product has a stereogenic carbon. Formation through a planar radical in an achiral environment gives the racemic pair represented by the two stereochemical SMILES above.

Radical chlorination is not perfectly selective; terminal-chain substitution can also occur:

\[ \ce{4-BrC6H4CH2CH3 + Cl2 ->[h\nu] 4-BrC6H4CH2CH2Cl + HCl}. \]

With excess chlorine or prolonged irradiation, further side-chain substitution is possible, for example

\[ \ce{4-BrC6H4CHClCH3 + Cl2 ->[h\nu] 4-BrC6H4CCl2CH3 + HCl}. \]

Thus light versus Lewis-acid catalysis selects the principal reaction site, while chlorine exposure controls the extent of substitution.

e) n-Propyl alcohol, phenol and concentrated sulphuric acid

The organic starting materials are propan-1-ol, \(\ce{CH3CH2CH2OH}\), CCCO, and phenol, \(\ce{C6H5OH}\), Oc1ccccc1.

The principal product structures considered below are:

Product SMILES
Propyl hydrogen sulphate CCCOS(=O)(=O)O
Di-n-propyl ether, or 1-propoxypropane CCCOCCC
n-Propyl phenyl ether, or propoxybenzene CCCOc1ccccc1
Propene C=CC
2-Hydroxybenzenesulphonic acid Oc1ccccc1S(=O)(=O)O
4-Hydroxybenzenesulphonic acid Oc1ccc(S(=O)(=O)O)cc1
2-Isopropylphenol CC(C)c1ccccc1O
4-Isopropylphenol CC(C)c1ccc(O)cc1

Concentrated sulphuric acid can act as an acid catalyst, a dehydrating reagent, and a sulphonating reagent. Consequently, the mixture does not have one condition-independent product.

Formation of a sulphuric-acid ester. At relatively low temperature, reaction of the alcohol with concentrated sulphuric acid can give propyl hydrogen sulphate:

\[ \boxed{\ce{CH3CH2CH2OH + H2SO4 <=> CH3CH2CH2OSO3H + H2O}}. \]

This is esterification. A low water content favors the ester; dilution promotes its hydrolysis.

Intermolecular dehydration: ether formation. With excess primary alcohol and moderate heating under acid catalysis, two alcohol molecules can form di-n-propyl ether:

\[ \boxed{\ce{2CH3CH2CH2OH ->[H2SO4][moderate\ heating] CH3CH2CH2OCH2CH2CH3 + H2O}}. \]

Intermolecular dehydration involving phenol can likewise give the mixed ether:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C6H5OH + CH3CH2CH2OH ->[H2SO4] C6H5OCH2CH2CH3 + H2O}}. \]

This is etherification, involving substitution at the primary propyl carbon. Phenol’s oxygen becomes bonded to that carbon; the aromatic carbon–oxygen bond is retained. In the three-reagent mixture, competing reactions mean that this equation does not imply selective formation of a pure mixed ether.

Intramolecular dehydration: alkene formation. Stronger heating, especially with removal of the gaseous product, favors elimination:

\[ \boxed{\ce{CH3CH2CH2OH ->[conc.\ H2SO4][stronger\ heating] CH3CH=CH2 + H2O}}. \]

This is an elimination reaction. Propene has no \(E/Z\) stereoisomers because one double-bond carbon bears two hydrogens.

The distinction between ether and alkene formation depends on temperature, acid/alcohol ratio, and product removal; it is not a universal sharp temperature boundary.

Sulphonation of phenol. The hydroxyl group strongly activates the aromatic ring and directs electrophilic substitution to the ortho and para positions.

At low temperature, conventionally around \(20\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\), ortho sulphonation is favored:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C6H5OH + H2SO4 <=>[low\ temperature] 2-HOC6H4SO3H + H2O}}. \]

On heating, conventionally around \(100\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\), the para product becomes favored:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C6H5OH + H2SO4 <=>[higher\ temperature] 4-HOC6H4SO3H + H2O}}. \]

Both reactions are electrophilic aromatic substitutions. Sulphonation is reversible; heating allows the product distribution to move toward the less sterically crowded para isomer. These temperatures indicate approximate reaction regimes, not exclusive product boundaries.

Possible ring alkylation when propene is retained. If propene formed by dehydration remains in contact with phenol and acid, it can act as an alkylating reagent. Acid activation favors attachment through the secondary carbon, giving isopropyl substituents:

\[ \ce{C6H5OH + CH3CH=CH2 ->[H2SO4] o-HOC6H4CH(CH3)2} \]

and

\[ \ce{C6H5OH + CH3CH=CH2 ->[H2SO4] p-HOC6H4CH(CH3)2}. \]

These are electrophilic aromatic substitutions. Combining alcohol dehydration with either alkylation gives the corresponding complete net equation:

\[ \ce{C6H5OH + CH3CH2CH2OH ->[H2SO4] o-HOC6H4CH(CH3)2 + H2O} \]

or

\[ \ce{C6H5OH + CH3CH2CH2OH ->[H2SO4] p-HOC6H4CH(CH3)2 + H2O}. \]

Removal of propene favors its isolation; retaining it with phenol permits this additional reaction.

The solution was checked against the official solution.