International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO 1995

Beijing, China · 6 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Corrosion of ancient bronze and a Cu-Zn alloy

    1.1 Excavated Chinese ancient bronze musical instrument, carillon, was covered entirely by rust. Chemical analysis showed that the rust contains \(\ce{CuCl}\), \(\ce{Cu2O}\) and \(\ce{Cu2(OH)3Cl}\). Simulation experiments showed that \(\ce{CuCl}\) was formed first under the action of both air and \(\ce{Cl}\) containing aqueous solution and then \(\ce{Cu2(OH)3Cl}\) produced through the following two different ways:

    Figure 1

    Using the molar standard formation Gibbs free energies of the species concerned answer the following questions:

    Species \(\ce{Cu2O(s)}\) \(\ce{CuO(s)}\) \(\ce{CuCl(s)}\) \(\ce{Cu2(OH)3Cl(s)}\) \(\ce{Cl(aq)}\) \(\ce{OH(aq)}\) \(\ce{H2O(l)}\)
    \(\Delta_{\mathrm f}G^0(298\ \mathrm K)\;(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}})\) −146 −130 −120 −1338 −131 −157 −237

    i) Write balanced equations for reactions (a), (b) and (c).

    ii) Calculate the molar standard Gibbs free energy \(\Delta_{\mathrm f}G^0(298\ \mathrm K)\) for reactions (a), (b) and (c).

    iii) Decide the spontaneous direction of reaction (a) in air through calculation, when \(T=298\mathrm K\), \(c(\ce{HCl})=1.0\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\).

    1.2 Rate constants \(k_c\) for reaction (c) were measured at various temperatures in a simulation experiment in order to obtain its kinetic parameters. On the basis of the data given below answer the following questions:

    \(t\;^\circ\mathrm C\) 25 40
    \(k_c\,/\,\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\) \(1.29\times10^{-4}\) \(2.50\times10^{-4}\)

    i) Write the equation for calculating the activation energy of reaction (c) and find the value.

    ii) Assign the overall reaction order of reaction (c).

    iii) Knowing that the rate determining step of reaction (c) is the monolayer adsorption of \(\ce{O2(g)}\) on solid \(\ce{CuCl}\), write the overall rate equation of this heterogeneous reaction (c). Under what condition might the reaction order be the same as that you have given in ii)? Assume only \(\ce{O2}\) can be adsorbed.

    1.3 A copper plate was divided into two parts, \(\ce{Cu}(1)\) and \(\ce{Cu}(2)\). \(\ce{Cu}(1)\) was then hammered so that \(\ce{Cu}(1)\) and \(\ce{Cu}(2)\) are different in certain thermodynamic properties.

    i) An galvanic cell with \(\ce{Cu}(1)\) and \(\ce{Cu}(2)\) was designed as \(\ce{Cu}(1)|\ce{CuSO4(aq)}|\ce{Cu}(2)\) and the electromotive force \(E\) of the above cell was expressed as \(E=\Phi_{\mathrm R}-\Phi_{\mathrm L}\), where \(\Phi_{\mathrm R}\) and \(\Phi_{\mathrm L}\) being the right and left electrode potentials (i. e. half-cell potentials), respectively. Please choose the correct \(E\) value from the following and give the thermodynamic reason for your choice.

    (A) \(E<0\)  (B) \(E=0\)  (C) \(E>0\)  (D) It cannot be decided

    ii) Write the net cell reaction for the cell.

    1.4 In a \(\ce{Cu-Zn}\) alloy the molar fractions of \(\ce{Cu}\) and \(\ce{Zn}\) are 0.750 and 0.250, respectively. The structure type of the alloy is the same as that of pure copper, except \(\ce{Zn}\) atoms substitute some \(\ce{Cu}\) atoms randomly and statistically, i. e. at every atomic position, the probability of the occupation of \(\ce{Cu}\) and \(\ce{Zn}\) is proportional to the composition of the alloy. In this sense the alloy can be considered as composed of statistical atoms \(\ce{Cu_{x}Zn_{1-x}}\). X-ray analysis shows that the arrangement of atoms in the alloy is of the cubic face-centred close packing type. Density of the alloy \(d=8.51\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\). Calculate the radius of the statistical atoms in the alloy.

    Given: \(A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Cu})=63.5,\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Zn})=65.4\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Nitrate in milk serum: ion-selective electrode

    To control the quality of milk serum, a dairy by-product, the concentration of \(\ce{NO3-}\) ion in serum is monitored by means of an ion selective electrode. Generally there is about 15 mg \(\ce{NO3-}\) ion per litre in serum, measured on the basis of nitrogen mass.

    2.1 For a nitrate ion selective electrode a calibration curve as shown below was obtained using a series of standard nitrate solutions containing \(0.5\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{K2SO4}\), \(1.0\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{H2SO4}\) and \(2.6\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{Cl-}\) ion as the background. Decide whether it is feasible to measure concentration \(\ce{NO3-}\) in serum under the above conditions.

    Figure 1

    2.2 Given are selective coefficients of \(\ce{Cl-}\), \(\ce{SO4^2-}\) and \(\ce{ClO4-}\) versus \(\ce{NO3-}\) as follow

    \[ K_{\ce{NO3-},\ce{Cl-}} =\frac{c_{\ce{NO3-}}}{c_{\ce{Cl-}}} =4.9\times10^{-2} \qquad K_{\ce{NO3-},\ce{SO4^2-}} =\frac{c_{\ce{NO3-}}}{c_{\ce{SO4^2-}}^{1/2}} =4.1\times10^{-3} \]

    \[ K_{\ce{NO3-},\ce{ClO4-}} =\frac{c_{\ce{NO3-}}}{c_{\ce{ClO4-}}} =1.0\times10^{-3} \]

    where the units of the concentrations are in \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) which is the best to reduce the interference of \(\ce{Cl-}\) to \(\ce{NO3-}\) determination, so as to control the error in the \(\ce{NO3-}\) concentration within 1 %, when there are \(1.40\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{NO3-}\) and \(1.60\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{Cl-}\) in serum:

    \[ \text{(a)}\quad\ce{AgNO3} \qquad \text{(b)}\quad\ce{Ag2SO4} \qquad \text{(c)}\quad\ce{AgClO4} \]

    Calculate the amount of the salt that should be added to \(1\ \mathrm{dm^3}\) of the sample solution to be measured.

    2.3 The \(\ce{NO3-}\) ion concentration was determined by this method at 298 K. For \(25.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) sample solution the electronic potential, \(E\), is measured to be \(-160\ \mathrm{mV}\). After adding \(1.00\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) \(1.00\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{NO3-}\) standard solution to the above solution, \(E\) changes to \(-130\ \mathrm{mV}\). Find the \(\mathrm{pNO_3}\) of the serum.

    2.4 The selective coefficient of \(\ce{CH3COO-}\) versus \(\ce{NO3-}\), \(K(\ce{NO3-}/\ce{CH3COO-})=2.7\times10^{-3}\). If \(\ce{AgCH3COO}\) instead of \(\ce{Ag2SO4}\) is added to the sample solution of question 2.2, find the upper limit of the pH value below which the same requirement in question 2.2 can be met.

    \[ K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl})=3.2\times10^{-10} \qquad K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{Ag2SO4})=8.0\times10^{-5} \]

    \[ K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCH3COO})=8.0\times10^{-3} \qquad K_a(\ce{CH3COOH})=2.2\times10^{-5} \]

    \[ A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{N})=14.00 \]

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Glyceraldehyde and its cyclic dimer

    1,3-Dihydroxyacetone can be converted to glyceraldehyde. On standing this glyceraldehyde changes spontaneously into a six member cyclic dimer \(\ce{C6H12O6}\). The infrared spectrum of the dimer shows no absorption peak between 1600 – 1800 \(\mathrm{cm^{-1}}\) and the dipole moment of the dimer is determined to be zero.

    3.1 Write the Fischer projection structural formula(e) for the resulting glyceraldehyde and indicate configuration using D(+) and/or L(-).

    3.2 Write the structural formula for the reaction intermediate of the conversion of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone to glyceraldehyde.

    3.3 Write the structural formula for the dimer.

    3.4 Using Haworth projection formula represent the possible stereoisomers which fit the dipole moment data.

    3.5 Denote each chiral carbon atom in the above formulae with \(R\) or \(S\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Bacterial poly(3-hydroxyalkanoic acids)

    Poly[(R)-3-hydroxyalkanoic acids], PHAs, are synthesized by a variety of bacteria and function as intracellular carbon and energy storage materials. These polymers are also biodegradable in environments, such as soil, anaerobic sewage and sea water. The inherent biologically mediated environmental degradability, useful physical properties, slow hydrolytic degradation and other favourable properties make bacterial polyesters exciting materials for both disposable biodegradable plastics (good for a clean environment) and special medical products.

    4.1 PHB, Poly(3-hydroxybutanoic acid), produced by bacteria contains only (R)-HB repeating units, while that synthesized by polymer chemists may contain only (R)-HB or only (S)-HB or both (R)-and (S)-HB in an alternating manner or both but in random distributions. Sketch chain structures of the atactic PHB, syndiotactic PHB and isotactic PHBs and denote each chiral carbon with (R) or (S). Five monomeric units are enough for each chain.

    {Note: In "PHB", P means "poly" or "polymer of, HB represents the monomeric units contained in poly(3-hydroxybutanoic acid) molecules.)

    4.2 Suggest two types of monomers that could be used for polymer chemists to synthesize a PHB, regardless of the stereochemistry of the products.

    4.3 Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] can be synthesized by feeding the bacteria (such as Alcaligenes Eutrophus) with sodium acetate in a nitrogen-free media. It is believed that the key steps for the conversion of acetate to PHB are the activation of acetate molecules by coenzyme A and the subsequent formation of the coenzyme A activated acetoacetate, which is then reduced by a reductase to form coenzyme A activated monomer 3-hydroxybutyrate. Polymerization of the monomer is achieved by a polymerase which would build the polymer molecules with unique stereospecificity. Sketch these steps with structural formulae. For coenzyme A the conventional abbreviation, -S-CoA (-CoA is as good), should be used in the sketch.

    4.4 If sodium propanoate is used (as the sole carbon source) in the feeding media instead of sodium acetate, the principal product will be a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid with the following generalized structure:

    Figure 1

    Rationalize the result.

    (Note: Two different monomers are needed for the formation of the copolymer. The letters m and n in the structural formula are numbers of the units and have nothing to do with the answer, in other words, you may leave them out in your answer.)

    Official English text of the problem.

  5. Problem 5: Nitric oxide in biology and iron-sulphur nitrosyl complexes

    The action of nitric oxide upon human body is dual. The nitric oxide generated in nerve cells will damage the cells, while the nitric oxide generated in endothelial cells of blood vessels can relax the vessels and control blood pressure.

    5.1 Indicate the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of \(\ce{NO}\) molecule using one of symbols \(\pi\), \(\sigma\), \(\pi^*\) or \(\sigma^*\), and indicate the electron(s) residing in the corresponding orbital using symbols \(\uparrow\) and/or \(\downarrow\).

    5.2 The relaxation of blood vessels is caused by a series of changes which are mediated by the coordination of \(\ce{NO}\) molecule to iron ion, the latter being a component of an enzyme containing heme. It was known that the coordinated \(\ce{NO}\) behaves as \(\ce{CO}\) molecule (isoelectronic), which one of the following species really exists in the iron complex?

    a) \(\ce{NO}\)  b) \(\ce{NO+}\)  c) \(\ce{NO-}\)

    5.3 The cell damage is caused by free radical \(\ce{OH}\), which is one of the product of reaction between \(\ce{O2-}\) and \(\ce{NO}\):

    Figure 1

    in which an intermediate with composition of \(\ce{HOONO}\) is evolved. \(\ce{HOONO}\) is a weak acid. Choose the structural formula with correct bond angles for the intermediate.

    Figure 2

    5.4 For preservation of meat, sodium nitrite is usually added and as a result \(\ce{NO}\) is, then, formed. Consequently, \(\ce{NO}\) reacts with the sulphur and iron atoms from decomposition of proteins, forming \(\ce{[Fe4S3(NO)7]-}\). The complex anion is bacteriostatic and antiseptic. X-ray crystallography shows that the complex anion has a structure as shown below:

    Figure 3

    i) Blacken all the circles corresponding to iron atoms and add symbols Fe(A), Fe(B), Fe(C) and Fe(D) beside the circles in the sequence of top \(\rightarrow\) left \(\rightarrow\) right.

    ii) The configuration of \(3d\) electron shell of the iron atoms has been studied with modern structural analysis. Knowing that the mean oxidation number of the four iron atoms is \(-0.5\), give their configurations of \(3d\) shell, respectively. Assume that each iron atom adopt \(sp\) hybridization.

    5.5 \(\ce{[Fe4S3(NO)7]-}\) anion can be reduced and a new complex \(\ce{[Fe2S2(NO)4]^2-}\) is formed which contains a cyclic structure unit of \(\ce{Fe2S2}\).

    i) Write the structural formula for the anion \(\ce{[Fe2S2(NO)4]^2-}\).

    ii) Give the oxidation state of each iron atom with Arabic numerals.

    iii) \(\ce{[Fe2S2(NO)4]^2-}\) can be converted into \(\ce{[Fe2(SCH3)2(NO)4]^n}\), a carcinogen. Which of the following three species is added to \(\ce{[Fe2S2(NO)4]^2-}\): \(\ce{CH3+}\), \(\ce{^{\bullet}CH3}\) or \(\ce{CH3-}\)? Assign the value of \(n\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  6. Problem 6: The surfactant AOT and micellar extraction of proteins

    A surfactant molecule can generally be modelled as Fig. 1 where a circle presents the polar head (PH), i.e. the hydrophilic part of the molecule, and a rectangle represents the non-polar tail (NT), i. e. the hydrophobic part of the molecule.

    Figure 1

    Fig. 1

    6.1 AOT is a surfactant. Its systematic name (IUPAC name) is sulfobutanedioic acid 1,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) ester sodium salt (formula \(\ce{C20H37NaO7S}\)).

    i) Write the structural formula for AOT and fill its PH and NT in the circle and rectangle on your answer sheet.

    ii) Choose the type of surfactant AOT among the following.

    a) Non-ionic; b) Anionic; c) Cationic; d) Others.

    6.2 Mixing an aqueous solution of 50 mmol AOT with isooctane (volume ratio 1 : 1), a micellar extraction system will be formed in the isooctane phase (organic phase).

    i) Using the model as shown in Fig. 1, draw a micelle with 10 AOT molecules under the given condition.

    ii) What species are in the inner cavity of this micelle? Write their chemical formulas.

    6.3 There is an aqueous solution containing the proteins as listed below:

    Protein Molecular mass (\(M_r\))\(\times10^4\) Isoelectronic point (PI)
    A 1.45 11.1
    B 1.37 7.8
    C 6.45 4.9
    D 6.80 4.9
    E 2.40 4.7
    F 2.38 0.5

    The separation of proteins can be performed by mixing the AOT micellar extraction system with the solution. Adjusting the \(pH\) value of the solution to 4.5, only three of the above listed six proteins can be extracted into the micelles. Which proteins will be extracted?

    6.4 The three proteins entered into the micelles will be separated from each other by the following procedure shown as in Fig. 2. Each extracted protein can be sequentially transported into a respective water phase.

    Figure 2

    Fig. 2

    Note: (w) represents water phase; (o) represents organic phase

    Fill the three extracted proteins in the left boxes first and then separate them by the procedure given, and give the separation conditions above each arrow as well.

    Official English text of the problem.