International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO 1982

Stockholm, Sweden · 7 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Ten short questions A-K (mostly multiple choice)

    A. The IUPAC name of the compound \(\ce{[Co(NH3)6]Cl2}\) is

    a) cobalt(II) hexaammonia dichlorine,
    b) cobalt(II) hexaammonia dichloride,
    c) hexaamminecobalt(II) chloride.
    d) hexaamminedichlorocobalt(II)
    e) cobalt(II) chloride-hexaammonia

    B. The IUPAC name of the compound

    Figure 1

    is:

    a) 5-bromo-1-hexanoic acid
    b) 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-1-hexanal
    c) 2-bromo-5-hydroxy-6-hexanal
    d) 2-bromo-2-hydroxy-1-hexanal
    e) 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-1-hexanone

    C. Which of the following acid-base pairs is most suitable for keeping the pH constant at 9 in an aqueous solution?

    a) \(\ce{CH3COOH}\) — \(\ce{CH3COO-}\)
    b) \(\ce{NH4+}\) — \(\ce{NH3}\)
    c) \(\ce{H2CO3}\) — \(\ce{HCO3-}\)
    d) \(\ce{H2PO4-}\) — \(\ce{HPO4^2-}\)
    e) \(\ce{H2C2O4}\) — \(\ce{HC2O4-}\)

    D. One of the following statements cannot be correct. State which one.

    a) A water-soluble solid contains \(\ce{Mg^2+}\), \(\ce{Cr^3+}\), and \(\ce{Br-}\).
    b) A solid soluble in a sodium hydroxide solution contains \(\ce{Al^3+}\), \(\ce{K+}\), and \(\ce{SO4^2-}\).
    c) A solid soluble in aqueous ammonia solution contains \(\ce{Ag+}\), \(\ce{Cu^2+}\), and \(\ce{Cl-}\).
    d) A solid soluble in nitric acid contains \(\ce{Ba^2+}\), \(\ce{Fe^2+}\), and \(\ce{CO3^2-}\).
    e) A solution neutral to litmus contains \(\ce{Na+}\), \(\ce{Ca^2+}\), and \(\ce{PO4^3-}\).

    E. Complete the following equation:

    Figure 2

    The reaction is carried out in an acid solution. Fill in the missing particles and balance the reaction equation.

    F. State the degree of protolysis of acetic acid with concentration of \(0.25\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\).

    \(K_{\mathrm a}(\ce{HAc})=1.8\times10^{-5}\).

    a) \(0.021\ \%\); b) \(0.21\ \%\); c) \(0.84\ \%\); d) \(1.3\ \%\); e) \(8.4\ \%\)

    G. A solution with a volume of \(1.00\ \mathrm{dm^3}\) is saturated with lead iodide, \(\ce{PbI2}\). The concentration of iodide ions is \(2.7\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\). Determine the solubility product of \(\ce{PbI2}\).

    a) \(3.6\times10^{-6}\); b) \(2.0\times10^{-8}\); c) \(9.8\times10^{-9}\); d) \(2.5\times10^{-9}\); e) \(4.9\times10^{-9}\).

    H. The following standard enthalpies of formation are given:

    Compound \(\Delta H^0\)
    Acetic acid \(-0.50\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\)
    Carbon dioxide \(-0.40\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\)
    Water \(-0.30\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\)

    The \(\Delta H^0\) of combustion of acetic acid is:

    a) \(0.90\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\); b) \(-0.90\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\); c) \(-0.20\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\);
    d) \(-2.1\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\); e) \(0.20\ \mathrm{MJ\,mol^{-1}}\)

    I. \(\ce{COCl2(g)}\) is introduced in an empty vessel at a pressure of \(a\). It dissociates and the following equilibrium is established at constant temperature:

    Figure 3

    If \(x\) represents the partial pressure of \(\ce{CO2(g)}\) at equilibrium, what is the equilibrium expression?

    a) \(\displaystyle \frac{4x^3}{(a-2x)^2}=K_p\)
    b) \(\displaystyle \frac{2x^4}{(a-2x)^2}=K_p\)
    c) \(\displaystyle \frac{2x^3}{(a-x)^2}=K_p\)
    d) \(\displaystyle \frac{4x^3}{(a-x)^2}=K_p\)
    e) \(\displaystyle \frac{x^3}{(a-3x)^2}=K_p\)

    K. For a metal M the following redox data are known:

    Figure 4

    The \(E^0\) for \(\ce{M^4+(aq) + 3e- -> M+(aq)}\) is then:

    a) \(-0.20\ \mathrm V\) b) \(-1.00\ \mathrm V\) c) \(1.00\ \mathrm V\) d) \(0.07\ \mathrm V\) e) \(-0.07\ \mathrm V\)

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Liebig combustion analysis and identification of an organic liquid C

    Figure 1

    Quantitative analysis for carbon and hydrogen was originally carried out using a technique and apparatus (see figure) originally developed in 1831 by the famous chemist Justus Liebig. A carefully weighed sample of organic compound (C) is placed in a combustion tube (A) and vaporized by heating in a furnace (B). The vapours are swept by a stream of oxygen through a heated copper oxide packing (D) and through another furnace (E), which ensures the quantitative oxidation of carbon and hydrogen to carbon dioxide and water. The water vapour is absorbed in a weighed tube (F) containing magnesium perchlorate and the carbon dioxide in another weighed tube (G) containing asbestos impregnated with sodium hydroxide.

    A pure liquid sample containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen is placed in a 0.57148 g platinum boat, which on reweighing weights 0.61227 g. The sample is ignited and the previously weighed absorption tubes are reweighed. The mass of the water absorption tube has increased from 6.47002 g to 6.50359 g, and the mass of the carbon dioxide tube has increased from 5.46311 g to 5.54466 g.

    2.1 Calculate the mass composition of the compound.

    2.2 Give the empirical formula of the compound.

    To estimate the molar mass of the compound, 1.0045 g was gasified. The volume, measured at a temperature of 350 K and a pressure of 35.0 kPa, was 0.95 dm\(^3\).

    2.3 Give the molar mass and the molecular formula of the compound.

    2.4 Draw possible structures corresponding to the molecular formula excluding cyclic structures, stereo isomers, peroxides and unsaturated compounds. There are about 15 possibilities. Give 10 of them.

    When the compound is heated with a sodium hydroxide solution, two products are formed. Fractional distillation of the reaction mixture yields one of the substances. The other substance is purified by distillation after acidification and appears to be an acid.

    2.5 What structures are possible for compound C?

    0.1005 g of the acid are dissolved in water and titrated with a sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 0.1000 mol dm\(^{-3}\). The indicator changes colour on addition of 16.75 cm\(^3\) of hydroxide solution.

    2.6 What was the original substance C?

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Analysis of methanol-formaldehyde solutions with dichromate and iodine

    In a chemical factory in which formaldehyde is produced by oxidation of methanol, aqueous solutions containing methanol and formaldehyde are to be analyzed. In order to test the method, experiments are first carried out with known amounts of both methanol and formaldehyde. The following aqueous solutions are used:

    Methanol, \(5.00\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\)
    Formaldehyde, \(5.00\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\)
    Potassium dichromate, \(3.000 \times 10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)
    Ammonium iron(II) sulphate, \(0.2000\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)
    Iodine, \(0.1000\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)
    Sodium thiosulphate, \(0.2000\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\).

    I. \(10.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) methanol solution and \(100.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) potassium dichromate solution are mixed, approximately \(100\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) concentrated sulphuric acid is added and the solution is allowed to stand for about 30 minutes. Excess dichromate ions are then titrated with iron(II) ions with diphenylamine sulphonic acid as a redox indicator (colour change from red-violet to pale green). The volume of the iron(II) solution consumed is \(43.5\ \mathrm{cm^3}\).

    II. \(10.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of formaldehyde solution and \(50.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of iodine solution are mixed. Sodium hydroxide solution is added to alkaline reaction and the mixture is left standing for about 10 minutes. Hydrochloric acid is then added to a neutral reaction, and the excess iodine is determined by titration with thiosulphate, with starch as an indicator. The volume of the thiosulphate solution required is \(33.3\ \mathrm{cm^{-3}}\).

    3.1 Using the analysis data in I and II calculate the reacting amounts and the molar ratios of methanol/dichromate ions and formaldehyde/iodine.

    3.2 Write balanced equations for all reactions described in experiments I and II.

    III. It is checked that iodine does not react with methanol. From a solution containing both methanol and formaldehyde, two \(10.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) samples are taken.

    One sample is mixed with \(100.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of potassium dichromate solution and concentrated sulphuric acid as in I. Excess dichromate ions consume \(4.8\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of iron(II) solution.

    The other sample is mixed with \(50.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of iodine solution and treated as in II. Excess iodine consumes \(16.50\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of thiosulphate solution.

    3.3 Give balanced equations for the reactions and calculate the contents of methanol and formaldehyde in the solution. Give your answer in \(\mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Coordination compounds of chromium(III): glycinato complex isomers and a chromium chloride hydrate

    A transition metal atom or ion may be directly bonded to a number of atoms or molecules that surround it (ligands), forming a characteristic pattern. This is the essential structural feature of an important class of so-called coordination or complex compounds. If two or more atoms from one individual ligand form bonds to the same central atom then the ligand is said to form a chelate (Greek chele = crab' claw).

    The glycinate ion, \(\ce{NH2-CH2-COO^-}\), is a bidentate chelate ligand which can form, for instance, tris-glycinato-chromium(III) complexes. The figure shows one possible structure of such a complex. Oxygen and nitrogen are forced to coordinate to adjacent octahedral positions, as the \(\ce{N-C-C-O}\) chain is too short to "embrace" the chromium ion.

    Figure 1

    4.1 How many different configurational isomers of the complex are possible, not counting optical isomers?

    4.2 Which of these isomers can be further resolved into optical isomers?

    Another coordination compound of chromium was analyzed and found to have the following mass composition: 19.5 % \(\ce{Cr}\), 40.0 % \(\ce{Cl}\), 4.5 % \(\ce{H}\), and 36.0 % \(\ce{O}\). A 0.533 g sample of the compound was dissolved in \(100\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of water, and \(10\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of nitric acid \((2\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}})\) was added. Excess of silver nitrate solution was then added and the precipitate formed was then filtered, washed, dried and weighed. Its mass was found to be 0.287 g.

    When a 1.06 g sample was gently heated to \(100\ ^\circ\mathrm{C}\) in a stream of dry air, 0.144 of water was driven off.

    The freezing point of a solution prepared from 1.33 g of the compound and \(100\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of water, was found to be \(-0.18\ ^\circ\mathrm{C}\). (Molar freezing point depression of water is \(1.82\ \mathrm{K\,kg\,mol^{-1}}\)).

    Use all the experimental information to solve the following problems:

    4.3 Derive the empirical formula of the compound.

    4.4 Deduce formula for the compound showing the ligands of the chromium ion. Give molar ratios to support your result.

    4.5 Sketch all possible steric arrangements of the ligands about the chromium ion.

    Official English text of the problem.

  5. Problem 5: Solubility of iodine in potassium iodide solutions

    Iodine is soluble to a certain extent in pure water. It is, however, more soluble in solutions containing iodide ions. By studying the total solubility of iodine as a function of iodide concentration, the equilibrium constants of the following reactions can be determined:

    Figure 1

    5.1 Give the equilibrium equations for (1) – (3).

    Solutions of known potassium iodide concentration \([\ce{I^-}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\) were equilibrated with solid iodine. Subsequent titration with sodium thiosulphate solution served to determine the total solubility of iodine \([\ce{I2}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\).

    The experiments yielded the following results:

    \([\ce{I^-}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\,/\,\mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\) 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00
    \([\ce{I^-}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\,/\,\mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\) 5.85 10.53 15.11 19.96 24.82

    5.2 Plot \([\ce{I2}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\) versus \([\ce{I^-}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\) in a diagram.

    5.3 Derive a suitable algebraic expression relating \([\ce{I2}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\) and \([\ce{I^-}]_{\mathrm{tot}}\).

    5.4 Use the graph to determine values of the equilibrium constants \(k_1\), \(k_2\), and \(k_3\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  6. Problem 6: Identification of organic compounds A-D from analytical data

    A white solid organic acid, A, contains only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. To obtain an approximate value for the molar mass, 10.0 g of the acid were dissolved in water. Crushed ice was added and vigorous shaking caused a decrease in temperature to −2.5 °C. The ice was quickly removed. The mass of the solution was 76.1 g, and its pH value was determined to be 1.4. In a handbook the molar freezing point depression constant for water was found to be 1.86 \(\mathrm{K\,kg\,mol^{-1}}\). A more precise determination of the molar mass of the acid was then carried out. 0.120 g of the acid was titrated with a sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 0.100 \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\). Phenolphthalein was used as an indicator, and when 23.4 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) of hydroxide solution was added the indicator turned red.

    6.1 Give the molar mass and the structure of acid A.

    Liquid B dissolves in water up to 10 %. The pH value of the solution is about 4. B is not easily oxidized, but following the iodoform reaction and subsequent acidification it is oxidized to acid A. 0.10 g of B consumes 1.5 g of iodine.

    When B reacts with sodium, hydrogen is evolved and a metal organic compound is formed. The molar mass of B is approximately 100 \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

    6.2 Write the chemical equation for the iodoform reaction and for the reaction with sodium. For the organic molecules structural formulas should be used.

    Compound C in aqueous solution has a conductivity which differs very little from that of pure water. Alkaline hydrolysis of C yields ammonia. 0.120 g of C was treated with hot, dilute sodium hydroxide solution and the gas formed was led into 50.0 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) hydrochloric acid with a concentration of 0.100 \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\). The excess acid was titrated with 10.0 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 0.100 \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\).

    Acid hydrolysis of C yields carbon dioxide. From the freezing point depression, the molar mass of C is estimated to be between 40 \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) and 70 \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

    6.3 Give the structure of C. Write reaction equations for both the alkaline and the acid hydrolysis.

    If C is allowed to react with the ethyl ester of acid A in the presence of a strong alkaline catalyst, ethanol and compound D are formed. The composition of D is 37.5 % C, 3.1 % H, 21.9 % N, and the reminder is oxygen. The compound is an acid.

    6.4 Give the structure for D. Which is the "acid" hydrogen atom? Mark it with * in the structure.

    Official English text of the problem.

  7. Problem 7: Solubility of calcium oxalate and protolysis of oxalate

    Calcium oxalate, \(\ce{CaC2O4.H2O}\), is a sparingly soluble salt of analytical and physiological importance. The solubility product is \(2.1\times10^{-9}\) at 25 °C. Oxalate ions can protolyse to form hydrogen oxalate ions and oxalic acid. The \(pK_a\) values at 25 °C are 1.23 (\(\ce{H2C2O4}\)) and 4.28 (\(\ce{HC2O4-}\)). At 25 °C the ionic product of water is \(1.0\times10^{-14}\).

    7.1 State those expressions for the equilibrium conditions which are of interest for the calculation of the solubility of calcium oxalate monohydrate.

    7.2 State the concentration conditions which are necessary for the calculation of the solubility \(s\) (in \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) of calcium oxalate in a strong acid of concentration \(C\).

    7.3 Calculate the solubility (in \(\mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\)) of calcium oxalate monohydrate in a plant cell in which the buffer system regulates the pH to 6.5.

    7.4 Calculate the solubility (in \(\mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\)) of calcium oxalate monohydrate in hydrochloric acid with a concentration of \(0.010\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\). Give the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.

    7.5 Calculate the equilibrium concentrations of all other species in solution d).

    Official English text of the problem.