IChO 1994 · Theory problem 5

Organic chemistry multiple-choice questions

There is only one correct answer to each question

5.1 What is the correct systematic name (IUPAC name) for the compound below?

Figure 1
  1. 3-Isopropylhexane
  2. 2-Methyl-3-propylpentane
  3. Ethyl isopropyl propyl methane
  4. 3-Hexylpropane
  5. 3-Ethyl-2-methylhexane

5.2 How many isomers, including stereoisomers, containing only saturated carbon atoms, are there for \(\ce{C5H10}\)?

  1. 4 isomers
  2. 5 isomers
  3. 6 isomers
  4. 7 isomers
  5. 8 isomers

5.3 Which one of the following compounds has a dipole moment significantly different from zero?

Figure 2

5.4 Which of the following is a pair of structural isomers?

Figure 3

5.5 Which of the following five options is the correct order of relative stabilities of cations a, b and c as written below (most stable first)?

Figure 4
  1. \(a>b>c\)
  2. \(b>c>a\)
  3. \(c>a>b\)
  4. \(a>c>b\)
  5. \(b>a>c\)

5.6 What is the correct stereochemical descriptor of the optically active compound drawn below?

Figure 5
  1. \(1R,3R,4R\)
  2. \(1R,3R,4S\)
  3. \(1R3S,4R\)
  4. \(1S,3S,4R\)
  5. \(1S,3S,4S\)

5.7 All the molecules drawn below are neutral compounds. Which one does not contain a formal positive charge and a formal negative charge?

Figure 6

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 5.1 — Option 5: 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, CC(C)C(CC)CCC.
  • 5.2 — Option 4: 7 isomers.
  • 5.3 — Option 1: cis-cyclobutane-1,3-diol, O[C@H]1C[C@@H](O)C1.
  • 5.4 — Option 3: 4-methyloxane, CC1CCOCC1, and 3-methyloxane, CC1COCCC1.
  • 5.5 — Option 1: \(a>b>c\).
  • 5.6 — Option 5: \((1S,3S,4S)\), using the numbering implicit in the choices.
  • 5.7 — Option 2: N,N,O-trimethylhydroxylamine, CN(C)OC.

Solution

5.1 — Selecting and numbering the parent chain

The longest continuous carbon chain contains six carbon atoms. Among the possible six-carbon chains, select the one giving the greatest number of substituents:

\[ \ce{CH3-CH(CH3)-CH(CH2CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3}. \]

This chain has a methyl group and an ethyl group. Numbering from the nearer end gives locants \(2,3\), rather than \(4,5\).

The substituent names are written alphabetically, so ethyl precedes methyl. The name is therefore 3-ethyl-2-methylhexane, option 5.

The alternative six-carbon chain underlying “3-isopropylhexane” has only one substituent and is not the correct parent-chain selection.

5.2 — Counting saturated isomers

The degree of unsaturation is

\[ \mathrm{DBE}=\frac{2(5)+2-10}{2}=1. \]

Since all carbon atoms must be saturated, this degree of unsaturation must be a ring, rather than a double bond. Thus, the compounds are monocyclic cycloalkanes.

The possibilities are:

Isomer SMILES
Cyclopentane C1CCCC1
Methylcyclobutane CC1CCC1
Ethylcyclopropane CCC1CC1
1,1-Dimethylcyclopropane CC1(C)CC1
cis-(1R,2S)-1,2-Dimethylcyclopropane C[C@H]1[C@@H](C)C1
trans-(1R,2R)-1,2-Dimethylcyclopropane C[C@H]1[C@H](C)C1
trans-(1S,2S)-1,2-Dimethylcyclopropane C[C@@H]1[C@@H](C)C1

The cis-1,2-dimethyl compound is meso: its mirror image is superimposable. The trans compound exists as two distinct enantiomers.

Consequently,

\[ N=4+1+2=\boxed{7}. \]

Conformations that interconvert by ordinary ring motion are not counted separately. The answer is option 4.

5.3 — Molecular dipoles

In option 1, both hydroxyl groups are shown with solid wedges, so they lie on the same face of the ring. The molecule is cis-cyclobutane-1,3-diol.

The components of the two hydroxyl-group dipoles perpendicular to the ring reinforce one another. They therefore produce a substantial resultant dipole.

The other choices illustrate cancellation in symmetric molecular arrangements:

Option Compound and SMILES Symmetry argument
2 Benzene-1,3,5-tricarbonitrile, N#Cc1cc(C#N)cc(C#N)c1 The three equivalent nitrile-group dipoles are arranged at \(120^\circ\) and cancel.
3 Tetrakis(chloromethyl)methane, ClCC(CCl)(CCl)CCl A symmetric arrangement of the four equivalent arms permits their dipoles to cancel.
4 (E)-2,3-Dibromobut-2-ene, C/C(Br)=C(Br)/C The trans arrangement gives opposing bond dipoles and a centrosymmetric molecular framework.
5 Piperazine, N1CCNCC1 Its symmetric chair conformation has opposing amine groups and a center of inversion.

Thus, the intended answer is option 1. The conformations used for compounds 3 and 5 are not specified by their SMILES.

5.4 — Constitutional isomerism

Structural, or constitutional, isomers have the same molecular formula but different atom-to-atom connections.

In option 3, both compounds have molecular formula \(\ce{C6H12O}\). Numbering the six-membered heterocycle from oxygen as position 1:

  • The left structure has its methyl group at position 4: 4-methyloxane, CC1CCOCC1.
  • The right structure has its methyl group at position 3: 3-methyloxane, CC1COCCC1.

Moving the methyl attachment from position 4 to position 3 changes connectivity. These are therefore constitutional isomers.

Option 1 has different molecular formulas for its two members. Options 2, 4 and 5 retain the same connectivity within each pair. The answer is option 3.

5.5 — Carbocation stability

The three cations are:

Cation Identification and SMILES Principal stabilization
\(a\) Benzyl cation, [CH2+]c1ccccc1 Resonance delocalization into the aromatic ring
\(b\) Pent-4-en-2-yl cation, C=CC[CH+]C A secondary carbocation, stabilized by adjacent alkyl groups
\(c\) Neopentyl cation, CC(C)(C)[CH2+] A primary carbocation without adjacent carbon–hydrogen bonds for ordinary C–H hyperconjugation

The benzyl cation is most stable because its vacant \(p\) orbital is conjugated with the aromatic ring, distributing the positive charge over several atoms.

Cation \(b\) is homoallylic, not allylic: a saturated methylene group separates the double bond from the positively charged carbon. It therefore lacks ordinary allylic resonance stabilization, but its secondary substitution still makes it more stable than \(c\).

The phrase “as written” excludes stabilization obtained by rearranging a cation into a different structure. Hence,

\[ \boxed{a>b>c}, \]

which is option 1.

5.6 — Absolute configuration

Use the numbering implicit in the choices: the bromine-bearing carbon is C1; proceeding along the lower edge of the chair gives C2, methyl-bearing C3, and methyl-bearing C4.

All three drawn substituents are equatorial. Bromine at C1 and methyl at C3 are on the same face; methyl at C4 is on the opposite face.

The Cahn–Ingold–Prelog priorities are:

Center Priorities, highest to lowest Configuration
C1 \(\ce{Br}\) > ring path through C2 > ring path through C6 > \(\ce{H}\) \(S\)
C3 Ring path through C4 > ring path through C2 > methyl > \(\ce{H}\) \(S\)
C4 Ring path through C3 > ring path through C5 > methyl > \(\ce{H}\) \(S\)

At C1, the two ring paths initially tie. The path through C2 reaches methyl-substituted C3 first and therefore takes priority over the path through C6.

At C3, the adjacent C4 is attached to two other carbon atoms and one hydrogen, whereas C2 is attached to one other carbon and two hydrogens. Thus, the C4 path has higher priority. The analogous comparison at C4 favors the C3 path.

To make the spatial assignment explicit, an equivalent planar hexagon, numbered clockwise with C1 at the right, has:

  • a dashed bromine bond at C1;
  • a dashed methyl bond at C3;
  • a solid-wedge methyl bond at C4.

At C1 and C3, the projected priority sequence is clockwise but hydrogen points toward the viewer, so the assignment is reversed to \(S\). At C4, hydrogen points away and the sequence is counterclockwise, also giving \(S\).

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{(1S,3S,4S)}, \]

option 5.

With the lowest-locant numbering used for its systematic name, the molecule is (1S,2S,4S)-4-bromo-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane, Br[C@@H]1C[C@H](C)[C@@H](C)CC1. This SMILES specifies configuration; the drawing additionally specifies the chair conformation with all three substituents equatorial.

5.7 — Formal charges

For an atom,

\[ \mathrm{FC} = V-N_{\mathrm{nonbonding}} -\frac{N_{\mathrm{bonding}}}{2}, \]

where \(V\) is the number of valence electrons of the neutral atom.

In N,N,O-trimethylhydroxylamine, CN(C)OC, nitrogen has three single bonds and one lone pair, while oxygen has two single bonds and two lone pairs:

\[ \mathrm{FC}(\ce{N})=5-2-3=0, \qquad \mathrm{FC}(\ce{O})=6-4-2=0. \]

Neither atom carries a formal charge.

For comparison, assigning formal charges to all five structures gives:

Option Compound and charge-explicit SMILES Formal charges
1 Trimethylamine–trimethylborane adduct, C[N+](C)(C)[B-](C)(C)C Nitrogen \(+1\), boron \(-1\)
2 N,N,O-Trimethylhydroxylamine, CN(C)OC All atoms uncharged
3 Diazomethane, C=[N+]=[N-] Central nitrogen \(+1\), terminal nitrogen \(-1\)
4 Trimethylamine N-oxide, C[N+](C)(C)[O-] Nitrogen \(+1\), oxygen \(-1\)
5 Boron trifluoride–dimethyl ether adduct, F[B-](F)(F)[O+](C)C Boron \(-1\), oxygen \(+1\)

In adducts 1 and 5, the nitrogen or oxygen lone pair is donated to boron. With that donor–acceptor bond represented as the drawn single bond, four-coordinate boron has formal charge \(-1\); the donor atom has formal charge \(+1\).

Thus, the only structure without separated formal charges is option 2.

The answers were checked against the official answers published by the organisers.