IChO 1996 · Theory problem 6

Two isomeric alkenes: ozonolysis, oxidation, bromination and epoxidation

Two isomeric hydrocarbons A and B contain 85.7 mass % of carbon.

6.1 Write a general formula which satisfies this condition.

The hydrocarbons A and B possess the following properties. The reaction of each of the compounds with ozone with subsequent treatment of the product with zinc dust in the presence of acid gives a single organic product C. The oxidation of compound C gives a single product, the carboxylic acid D. According to spectral data all hydrogen atoms in this acid except the one in carboxylic group are contained in methyl groups. The density of vapours of D corrected to normal conditions (0 °C, 1 atm) is \(9.1\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}\).

Compound A is more reactive than compound B in the reaction with cold neutral potassium permanganate. A single compound F is formed from A, and a 1 : 1 mixture of isomers G1 and G2 is formed from B.

6.2 Draw the structural formulae of the compound D both in aqueous solution and in vapour phase.

6.3 Write the formula of compound C.

6.4 Draw the structures of isomers A and B.

6.5 a) Write the reactions of the transformation of A or B into C and D.
b) Write the reactions of the transformation of A and B into F, G1 and G2.

6.6 Compounds G1 and G2 readily react with acetone in the presence of acids and form compounds H1 and H2. Draw the structures of H1 and H2.

6.7 Compounds A and B react with bromine. One of the products of these reactions is non-polar (dipole moment of this molecule is practically equal to zero) and optically inactive. Draw the stereochemical formula of this product, and write the reaction of its formation. Determine the absolute configuration of chiral atoms in this molecule (if any) and mark them according to \(R,S\) nomenclature by \(R\) or \(S\) letters.

Alkenes react with peroxoacids with the addition of oxygen to double bond to form a three-member oxygen-containing ring. This epoxidation reaction is highly stereospecific to retain the relative positions of substituents at the bond to which the oxygen atom is attached.

The epoxidation of compound A by peroxoacetic acid yields a single compound K. Under the same conditions B gives a mixture of isomers L1 and L2 (the ratio is 1:1).

6.8 Is the compound K optically active? Draw the stereochemical formula of K. Are the individual compounds L1 and L2 optically active? Draw the stereochemical formulae of L1 and L2.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 6.1: \(\boxed{\ce{C_nH_{2n}}}\). For A and B, \(n=10\).

  • 6.2: D is 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (pivalic acid), \(\ce{(CH3)3CCOOH}\). In aqueous solution its neutral molecular form is CC(C)(C)C(=O)O. In the vapour it forms a cyclic hydrogen-bonded dimer, CC(C)(C)C(=O)O.CC(C)(C)C(=O)O, with two reciprocal \(\ce{O-H...O=C}\) hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds are not encoded by the dot-separated SMILES.

  • 6.3: C is 2,2-dimethylpropanal (pivaldehyde), \(\ce{(CH3)3CCHO}\), molecular formula \(\ce{C5H10O}\), CC(C)(C)C=O.

  • 6.4:
    A: (3Z)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-ene, CC(C)(C)/C=C\C(C)(C)C; the two tert-butyl groups are on the same side of the double bond.
    B: (3E)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-ene, CC(C)(C)/C=C/C(C)(C)C; the two tert-butyl groups are on opposite sides.

  • 6.5(a): Reductive ozonolysis of either A or B gives two molecules of C per alkene molecule. Oxidation of C gives D. Balanced equations are given below.

  • 6.5(b): Syn dihydroxylation gives:

F: meso-(3R,4S)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane-3,4-diol, CC(C)(C)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)C(C)(C)C, from A.

G1: (3R,4R)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane-3,4-diol, CC(C)(C)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)C(C)(C)C.

G2: (3S,4S)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane-3,4-diol, CC(C)(C)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C(C)(C)C.

B gives G1 and G2 in a 1:1 racemic mixture.

  • 6.6:
    H1: (4R,5R)-4,5-di-tert-butyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane, CC1(C)O[C@H](C(C)(C)C)[C@@H](C(C)(C)C)O1.
    H2: (4S,5S)-4,5-di-tert-butyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane, CC1(C)O[C@@H](C(C)(C)C)[C@H](C(C)(C)C)O1.
    These are enantiomeric cyclic acetals, with the two tert-butyl groups trans.

  • 6.7: Anti bromination of B gives meso-(3R,4S)-3,4-dibromo-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane, CC(C)(C)[C@@H](Br)[C@@H](Br)C(C)(C)C. It is optically inactive. Its staggered conformation with each pair of identical groups anti has a centre of inversion and zero dipole moment by symmetry.

  • 6.8:
    K: meso-(2R,3S)-2,3-di-tert-butyloxirane, CC(C)(C)[C@H]1O[C@H]1C(C)(C)C. Its tert-butyl groups are cis; it is optically inactive.
    L1: (2R,3R)-2,3-di-tert-butyloxirane, CC(C)(C)[C@H]1O[C@@H]1C(C)(C)C.
    L2: (2S,3S)-2,3-di-tert-butyloxirane, CC(C)(C)[C@@H]1O[C@H]1C(C)(C)C.
    L1 and L2 have trans tert-butyl groups. Each pure enantiomer is optically active; their 1:1 mixture is optically inactive.

Solution

The labels G1/G2 and L1/L2 are assigned here to the indicated enantiomers. Interchanging the labels within either pair is equally valid, provided H1 and H2 remain paired with their respective diols.

6.1 — General formula

For a hydrocarbon \(\ce{C_xH_y}\), using the conventional atomic masses \(12\) and \(1\),

\[ \frac{12x}{12x+y}=0.857, \qquad \frac{y}{x} =12\left(\frac{1}{0.857}-1\right) \simeq 2.00. \]

Thus the empirical formula is \(\ce{CH2}\), and the general molecular formula is

\[ \boxed{\ce{C_nH_{2n}}}. \]

Its degree of unsaturation is

\[ \mathrm{DBE}=\frac{2n+2-2n}{2}=1. \]

The ozonolysis establishes that this unsaturation is a carbon–carbon double bond.

6.2 — Identification and structures of D

At normal conditions, the ideal-gas molar volume is approximately \(22.4\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}}\). The apparent molar mass of the vapour particles is therefore

\[ \begin{aligned} M_{\text{vapour}} &=\rho V_m\\ &=(9.1\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}) (22.4\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}})\\ &=203.84\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}} \simeq 2.0\times10^2\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Carboxylic acids associate in the vapour through two hydrogen bonds to form cyclic dimers. Taking the vapour species to be this dimer gives a monomer molar mass near \(102\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

Since the starting hydrocarbons are acyclic monoalkenes, the acid formed from an aldehyde ozonolysis product is a saturated monocarboxylic acid, with general formula \(\ce{C_mH_{2m}O2}\). Consequently,

\[ M_D=(14m+32)\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \]

and

\[ 14m+32\simeq\frac{204}{2}=102, \qquad m=5. \]

Thus D has molecular formula \(\ce{C5H10O2}\). Nine of its ten hydrogen atoms must belong to methyl groups. Those nine hydrogens form three methyl groups, all attached to the remaining non-carboxyl carbon:

\[ \boxed{\ce{D = (CH3)3C-C(=O)-OH}}. \]

This is 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid, CC(C)(C)C(=O)O.

The proposed dimer has molar mass \(204\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\), giving

\[ \rho_{\text{calculated}} =\frac{204\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}} {22.4\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}}} =9.11\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}} \simeq9.1\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}, \]

in agreement with the given density.

For the requested drawings:

  • Aqueous solution: draw one solvated \(\ce{(CH3)3C-C(=O)-OH}\) unit. Ordinary weak-acid ionization also occurs: \[ \ce{(CH3)3CCOOH + H2O <=> (CH3)3CCOO^- + H3O+}. \] The ions are 2,2-dimethylpropanoate (pivalate), CC(C)(C)C(=O)[O-], and hydronium, [OH3+]; water is O.

  • Vapour: draw two acid molecules with their carboxyl groups facing one another. Each hydroxyl hydrogen points towards the other molecule’s carbonyl oxygen. The two reciprocal hydrogen bonds form an eight-membered hydrogen-bonded ring, counting the two hydrogen atoms; the tert-butyl groups point outward. The dimer SMILES is CC(C)(C)C(=O)O.CC(C)(C)C(=O)O. It represents the two molecular components but does not encode their hydrogen bonds or conformation.

6.3 — Identification of C

Oxidation of an aldehyde replaces its aldehydic hydrogen by a hydroxyl group while retaining the carbon skeleton:

\[ \ce{RCHO ->[oxidation] RCOOH}. \]

Therefore C is 2,2-dimethylpropanal, CC(C)(C)C=O:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C = (CH3)3CCHO}},\qquad \boxed{\ce{C5H10O}}. \]

6.4 — Identification of A and B

Reductive ozonolysis converts each alkene carbon into a carbonyl carbon. Because the only organic product is \(\ce{(CH3)3CCHO}\), each original alkene carbon must have carried one hydrogen and one tert-butyl group:

\[ \ce{(CH3)3C-CH=CH-C(CH3)3}. \]

The molecular formula is \(\ce{C10H20}\), consistent with

\[ 100\frac{10(12)}{10(12)+20(1)}=85.7\%. \]

Cold, neutral permanganate adds two hydroxyl groups syn, meaning from the same face of the double bond.

For this symmetrical alkene:

  • The cis, or \(Z\), isomer gives the single meso diol.
  • The trans, or \(E\), isomer gives the \(R,R\) and \(S,S\) diols in equal amounts.

Hence

\[ \boxed{\mathbf A=Z,\qquad \mathbf B=E}. \]

A is (3Z)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-ene, CC(C)(C)/C=C\C(C)(C)C; B is (3E)-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-ene, CC(C)(C)/C=C/C(C)(C)C.

To draw A, place the tert-butyl groups on the same side of the double bond and the hydrogens on the other side. For B, place the tert-butyl groups on opposite sides. The greater reactivity of A is consistent with the steric strain caused by its two bulky groups occupying the same side of the double bond.

6.5(a) — Conversion into C and D

The balanced net ionic equation for reductive ozonolysis, including the zinc/acid work-up, is

\[ \ce{ (CH3)3C-CH=CH-C(CH3)3 + O3 + Zn + 2H+ -> 2(CH3)3CCHO + Zn^2+ + H2O }. \]

This applies to both A and B. Each alkene molecule gives two identical molecules of C.

The small species in this equation are ozone, O=[O+][O-]; zinc, [Zn]; the hydrogen ion, [H+]; the zinc(II) ion, [Zn+2]; and water, O.

The oxidant used to convert C into D is not specified. Using dioxygen, O=O, to express the overall oxidation stoichiometry gives

\[ \ce{ 2(CH3)3CCHO + O2 -> 2(CH3)3CCOOH }. \]

Thus aldehyde C is oxidized to pivalic acid D without changing the carbon skeleton.

6.5(b) — Formation of F, G1 and G2

Cold, neutral permanganate produces a vicinal diol by syn addition, through a cyclic manganese-containing intermediate followed by hydrolysis.

Here A and B have formula \(\ce{C10H20}\), and F, G1 and G2 each have formula \(\ce{C10H22O2}\). The balanced equations, with these compound labels, are

\[ \boxed{\ce{ 3 A + 2 KMnO4 + 4 H2O -> 3 F + 2 MnO2 v + 2 KOH }} \]

and

\[ \boxed{\ce{ 6 B + 4 KMnO4 + 8 H2O -> 3 G1 + 3 G2 + 4 MnO2 v + 4 KOH }}. \]

The inorganic species are potassium permanganate, [K+].[O-][Mn](=O)(=O)=O; manganese(IV) oxide, [Mn+4].[O-2].[O-2]; and potassium hydroxide, [K+].[OH-]. These ionic SMILES give formula-unit representations rather than crystal structures.

The configurations are

\[ \begin{aligned} \mathbf F &: (3R,4S)\quad\text{meso},\\ \mathbf{G1} &: (3R,4R),\\ \mathbf{G2} &: (3S,4S). \end{aligned} \]

For precise Fischer projections, put the sequence tert-butyl–C3–C4–tert-butyl vertically, with vertical bonds directed away from the observer:

  • F: both hydroxyl groups on the left and both hydrogens on the right.
  • G1: the C3 hydroxyl group on the left and the C4 hydroxyl group on the right.
  • G2: the C3 hydroxyl group on the right and the C4 hydroxyl group on the left.

Addition to either face of A gives the same meso molecule F. Addition to the two faces of B gives the two enantiomers G1 and G2; achiral reaction conditions give them in equal amounts.

6.6 — Structures of H1 and H2

A vicinal diol reacts with acetone, CC(=O)C, under acid catalysis to form a five-membered cyclic ketal, commonly called an acetonide:

\[ \ce{G1 + (CH3)2CO <=>[H+] H1 + H2O}, \]

\[ \ce{G2 + (CH3)2CO <=>[H+] H2 + H2O}. \]

Both equations have the molecular-formula balance

\[ \ce{C10H22O2 + C3H6O <=> C13H26O2 + H2O}. \]

The two diol oxygen atoms bond to the former acetone carbonyl carbon. The bonds at the original stereogenic carbons retain their configurations.

For the drawings, construct the five-membered ring in the order O1–C2–O3–C4–C5–O1. Put two methyl groups on C2, and one tert-butyl group and one hydrogen on each of C4 and C5. The tert-butyl groups are trans, one above and one below the ring.

  • H1: \((4R,5R)\), CC1(C)O[C@H](C(C)(C)C)[C@@H](C(C)(C)C)O1.
  • H2: \((4S,5S)\), CC1(C)O[C@@H](C(C)(C)C)[C@H](C(C)(C)C)O1.

These are the enantiomers of 4,5-di-tert-butyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane.

6.7 — Non-polar, optically inactive bromination product

Bromination proceeds by anti addition: formation of a bromonium intermediate is followed by attack from the opposite face. Anti addition to the \(E\) alkene B gives the meso dibromide:

\[ \ce{ (CH3)3C-CH=CH-C(CH3)3 + Br2 -> (CH3)3C-CHBr-CHBr-C(CH3)3 }. \]

Here the reactant is B, bromine is BrBr, and the product is meso-(3R,4S)-3,4-dibromo-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane, CC(C)(C)[C@@H](Br)[C@@H](Br)C(C)(C)C.

At each stereocentre, the CIP priority order is

\[ \ce{Br} \;>\; \ce{CH(Br)C(CH3)3} \;>\; \ce{C(CH3)3} \;>\; \ce{H}. \]

The adjacent stereogenic carbon outranks the tert-butyl carbon because their next attached-atom lists are respectively \((\ce{Br},\ce{C},\ce{H})\) and \((\ce{C},\ce{C},\ce{C})\).

A precise Fischer projection has tert-butyl–C3–C4–tert-butyl vertically, with Br on the left and H on the right at both centres. This assigns

\[ \boxed{C3=R,\qquad C4=S}. \]

The molecule is meso and therefore optically inactive despite containing two stereogenic carbons.

To represent its non-polar conformation, draw a staggered Newman projection along C3–C4 with the two tert-butyl groups anti, the two bromine atoms anti, and the two hydrogen atoms anti. This conformation has a centre of inversion at the midpoint of C3–C4, so its bond-dipole contributions cancel. The stereochemical SMILES specifies the configuration but does not impose this conformation.

6.8 — Epoxides K, L1 and L2

Epoxidation transfers oxygen to the double bond stereospecifically, retaining the relative positions of the substituents. The reagents and accompanying product are peroxoacetic acid (peracetic acid), CC(=O)OO, and acetic acid, CC(=O)O.

With K, L1 and L2 each having formula \(\ce{C10H20O}\), the balanced reactions are

\[ \ce{A + CH3C(=O)OOH -> K + CH3COOH}, \]

\[ \ce{2 B + 2 CH3C(=O)OOH -> L1 + L2 + 2 CH3COOH}. \]

For precise stereochemical drawings, place the oxirane triangle in the plane of the page with O at the top, C2 at the lower left and C3 at the lower right. A solid wedge points towards the observer; a dashed wedge points away.

Compound Tert-butyl group at C2 Tert-butyl group at C3 Configuration Optical activity
K Solid wedge Solid wedge \((2R,3S)\), cis, meso Inactive
L1 Solid wedge Dashed wedge \((2R,3R)\), trans Active as a pure enantiomer
L2 Dashed wedge Solid wedge \((2S,3S)\), trans Active as a pure enantiomer

At each carbon, the hydrogen points in the opposite direction to its tert-butyl group.

K is meso-(2R,3S)-2,3-di-tert-butyloxirane, CC(C)(C)[C@H]1O[C@H]1C(C)(C)C. Its mirror plane passes through oxygen and the midpoint of the carbon–carbon bond, perpendicular to the ring plane. Therefore K is achiral and optically inactive.

L1 and L2 are respectively (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-2,3-di-tert-butyloxirane, CC(C)(C)[C@H]1O[C@@H]1C(C)(C)C and CC(C)(C)[C@@H]1O[C@H]1C(C)(C)C. They are non-superimposable mirror images. Each enantiomer is optically active individually, while the 1:1 mixture formed from B has zero net optical rotation.

The solution was checked against the official solution.