IChO 1998 · Theory problem 3

Angle strain, hybridization and fullerenes

The three-dimensional structures of polycyclic molecules can often be explained in terms of the minimisation of angle strain. Consider the following molecules:

Figure 1

Dodecahedrane, \(\ce{C20H20}\)

Figure 2

and Ovalene, \(\ce{C32H14}\).

Each \(\ce{C5}\) ring of dodecahedrane is a regular pentagon, while each \(\ce{C6}\) ring of ovalene can be regarded as a regular hexagon.

3.1 What are the \(\angle(\mathrm{CCC})\) angles for each of these rings?

3.2 Which configuration (trigonal planar, \(120^\circ\); tetrahedral, \(109.5^\circ\); or octahedral, \(90^\circ\)) do the above \(\angle(\mathrm{CCC})\) angles most closely match?

3.3 What is the hybridization (\(sp\), \(sp^2\), or \(sp^3\)) which most closely conforms to the geometric structure of dodecahedrane, and of ovalene?

A “juncture” is defined here to mean any 3-ring system, sharing a common central carbon atom, within a molecule. Compare the junctures (shown in bold) of three pentagons within dodecahedrane:

Figure 3

and of three hexagons within ovalene:

Figure 4

Consider an axis passing through the central carbon atom of each juncture such that the angle the axis forms with all three \(\ce{C-C}\) bonds radiating from this \(\ce{C}\) atom is identical.

Figure 5

3.4 What is the value of this angle for dodecahedrane (make an “educated guess”, to the nearest three degrees), and for ovalene?

3.5 Subtracting \(90^\circ\) from each of the above angles describes the deviation from planarity for each juncture. Which juncture is planar?

Now consider two polycyclic 'alkenes', dodecahedrene (\(\ce{C20H18}\)):

Figure 6

and ovalene:

Figure 7

Assume that the molecular framework is rigid and is not significantly distorted by \(\ce{H2}\) addition to the (indicated) double bond on each structure. Assume also that all double bonds are localized in assessing these systems.

3.6 Compare the indicated pairs of carbon atoms (encircled above). For which \(\ce{C=C}\) pair is \(\ce{H2}\) addition expected to be more exothermic?

And now, on to fullerenes. For all known fullerenes, the deviation from planarity at any juncture is less than is the case for dodecadedrane.

Figure 8

For \(\ce{C60}\), all junctures are entirely equivalent. Now consider \(\ce{H2}\) addition at a \(\ce{C=C}\) bond of \(\ce{C60}\):

Figure 9

3.7 For which of \(\ce{C60}\), dodecahedrene, or ovalene is \(\ce{H2}\) addition most exothermic?
(Again, assume localization of double bonds.)

3.8 For which of \(\ce{C60}\), dodecahedrene, or ovalene is \(\ce{H2}\) addition least exothermic?

There is evidence for fullerenes smaller than \(\ce{C60}\), such as \(\ce{C58}\). The \(\ce{C58}\) structure (ignoring any distinction between 'double' and 'single' bonds) is shown below:

Figure 10

The junctures centred on atoms A, B and C on the above structure can be redrawn for greater clarity:

Figure 11

3.9 Which juncture has the least deviation from planarity?

3.10 Which juncture has the greatest deviation from planarity?

3.11 Of the above carbon-carbon bonds, numbered from 1 to 9, which represents the most favourable site for \(\ce{H2}\) addition?

Finally, consider a larger fullerene, \(\ce{C180}\):

Figure 12

To a first approximation, both \(\ce{C60}\) and \(\ce{C180}\) are "perfect" spheres.

3.12 Which has the larger average deviation from planarity at each juncture? \(\ce{C60}\) or \(\ce{C180}\)?

3.13 Compare the geometries of \(\ce{C60}\) and \(\ce{C180}\), and graphite. Which of the statements shown on the answer sheet (concerning enthalpies of formation, in \(\mathrm{kJ\,g^{-1}}\) units) is correct?

Fullerenes are generated on a very rapid timescale, typically milliseconds. In all techniques, C60 is produced in much greater quantities than C180.

3.14 Which of the graphs shown on the answer template best represents the dependence of potential energy upon reaction progress for the two processes:

Figure 13

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

SMILES identifiers and their geometric qualifications are given in the solution.

  • 3.1: Dodecahedrane: \(108^\circ\). Ovalene: \(120^\circ\).
  • 3.2: Dodecahedrane: tetrahedral. Ovalene: trigonal planar.
  • 3.3: Dodecahedrane: \(sp^3\). Ovalene: \(sp^2\).
  • 3.4: Dodecahedrane: approximately \(111^\circ\). Ovalene: \(90^\circ\).
  • 3.5: Ovalene is planar. The deviations are approximately \(21^\circ\) for dodecahedrane and \(0^\circ\) for ovalene.
  • 3.6: Addition to the indicated double bond of dodecahedrene is more exothermic.
  • 3.7: Dodecahedrene gives the most exothermic addition.
  • 3.8: Ovalene gives the least exothermic addition.
  • 3.9: B.
  • 3.10: C.
  • 3.11: Bond 9, shared by two pentagons.
  • 3.12: \(\ce{C60}\).
  • 3.13: Per gram, \[ h_f^\circ(\ce{C60})>h_f^\circ(\ce{C180})> h_f^\circ(\text{graphite})=0. \]
  • 3.14: Choose the graph with a lower activation barrier leading to \(\ce{3C60}\), but a lower final product energy for \(\ce{C180}\).

Solution

3.1 — Ring angles

The molecular identifiers are:

  • Dodecahedrane, \(\ce{C20H20}\): C12C3C4C5C1C1C6C2C2C3C3C4C4C5C1C1C6C2C3C41. Its carbon skeleton is the convex dodecahedral cage shown; SMILES does not specify its regular three-dimensional geometry.
  • Ovalene, \(\ce{C32H14}\), one Kekulé representation: C1=CC2=CC=C3C=C4C=CC5=CC=C6C=CC7=CC8=CC=C1C1=C2C3=C2C4=C5C6=C7C2=C81. Its fused carbon framework is planar.

The interior angle of a regular \(n\)-gon is

\[ \alpha_n=\frac{(n-2)180^\circ}{n}. \]

Consequently,

\[ \alpha_5=\frac{3(180^\circ)}5=\boxed{108^\circ}, \qquad \alpha_6=\frac{4(180^\circ)}6=\boxed{120^\circ}. \]

These are the respective \(\angle(\mathrm{CCC})\) angles.

3.2 — Closest configurations

The pentagonal angle \(108^\circ\) differs from the tetrahedral angle \(109.5^\circ\) by only \(1.5^\circ\). Dodecahedrane therefore most closely matches tetrahedral geometry.

The hexagonal angle \(120^\circ\) exactly matches trigonal planar geometry, appropriate to ovalene.

3.3 — Hybridization

Tetrahedral geometry corresponds to \(sp^3\) hybridization. Each carbon of dodecahedrane has three carbon neighbours and one hydrogen, making four \(\sigma\) bonds.

Trigonal planar geometry corresponds to \(sp^2\) hybridization. Each carbon of ovalene has three \(\sigma\)-bond directions, with a remaining \(p\) orbital contributing to \(\pi\) bonding.

Thus,

\[ \boxed{\text{Dodecahedrane: }sp^3;\qquad \text{ovalene: }sp^2.} \]

3.4 — Angle between the axis and the bonds

For ovalene, the axis is perpendicular to the molecular plane. Its angle with each of the three carbon–carbon bonds is therefore

\[ \boxed{90^\circ}. \]

For dodecahedrane, use the outward-pointing ray of the axis, consistent with the obtuse angle indicated in the figure and the subtraction prescribed in 3.5. The geometry is nearly tetrahedral, suggesting an angle near \(110^\circ\).

The regular-pentagon model also permits an exact check. Let the common axis–bond angle be \(\theta\). The three bonds have azimuthal separations of \(120^\circ\), and the angle between any two bonds is \(108^\circ\). Hence

\[ \cos108^\circ =\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta\cos120^\circ =\frac32\cos^2\theta-\frac12. \]

Thus

\[ \cos\theta=-\sqrt{\frac{1+2\cos108^\circ}{3}}, \]

where the negative sign selects the outward, obtuse angle. Therefore,

\[ \theta=110.905\ldots^\circ. \]

The requested estimate is

\[ \boxed{\theta\approx111^\circ}. \]

3.5 — Deviation from planarity

Using the definition in the question,

\[ \delta=\theta-90^\circ, \]

gives

\[ \delta_{\mathrm{dodecahedrane}} =110.905\ldots^\circ-90^\circ \approx20.9^\circ, \]

and

\[ \delta_{\mathrm{ovalene}}=90^\circ-90^\circ=0^\circ. \]

Therefore, the ovalene juncture is planar.

3.6 — Hydrogenation of dodecahedrene versus ovalene

Dodecahedrene, \(\ce{C20H18}\), with the convex cage stereochemistry, is represented by:

C12=C3[C@@H]4[C@@H]5[C@H]1[C@@H]1[C@@H]6[C@H]2[C@@H]2[C@H]3[C@@H]3[C@H]4[C@@H]4[C@H]5[C@H]1[C@@H]1[C@H]6[C@H]2[C@H]3[C@H]41

Hydrogen is dihydrogen, \(\ce{H2}\): [H][H].

The balanced additions are

\[ \ce{C20H18 + H2 -> C20H20} \]

and

\[ \ce{C32H14 + H2 -> C32H16}. \]

The first product is dodecahedrane. The second is dihydroovalene hydrogenated at the indicated central bond, with connectivity SMILES:

C1=C2C=CC3=CC=C4C=CC5=CC6=C7C8=C9C(=C1C=CC9=CC=C8C=C6)C1C2=C3C4=C5C71

The question does not specify the relative stereochemistry of the two new carbon–hydrogen bonds in this latter product.

Hydrogenation changes the two reacting carbon atoms from approximately \(sp^2\) bonding toward \(sp^3\) bonding.

In dodecahedrene, the cage forces these initially unsaturated carbon atoms into strongly pyramidal geometries already close to tetrahedral. The double bond is consequently strained. Hydrogenation makes the preferred bonding geometry much better suited to the existing cage.

In ovalene, the initial planar framework suits \(sp^2\) carbon. Hydrogenation introduces carbon atoms that prefer tetrahedral geometry into a framework assumed to remain approximately planar, increasing their geometric strain.

Thus, even without substantial movement of the framework, hydrogenation gives a greater improvement in geometric compatibility for dodecahedrene:

\[ \boxed{ \Delta H_{\mathrm{hyd}}(\text{dodecahedrene}) < \Delta H_{\mathrm{hyd}}(\text{ovalene}) }. \]

The more negative enthalpy change means dodecahedrene hydrogenation is more exothermic. This argument uses the stipulated localized-bond model; aromatic stabilization is not needed.

3.7 — Most exothermic addition among the three compounds

Buckminsterfullerene, \(\ce{C60}\), has a truncated-icosahedral cage. One explicit-bond SMILES is:

C12=C3C4=C5C6=C7C3=C3C8=C1C1=C9C8=C8C%10=C%11C%12=C%13C%14=C%15C%16=C%17C%18=C%19C%20=C(C4=C2C2=C1C1=C4C9=C9C8=C%11C8=C%13C%11=C%15C%17=C%13C%19=C(C1=C2%20)C1=C4C9=C8C%11=C1%13)C%18=C5C%16=C6C%14=C%12C7=C3%10

Its formal hydrogenation is

\[ \ce{C60 + H2 -> C60H2}. \]

For addition of both hydrogens to the exterior at the indicated bond, the product is 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerene, represented by:

C12=C3C4=C5C6=C1C1=C7C2=C2C8=C3C3=C4C4=C9C%10=C3C3=C8C8=C%11C%12=C%13C%14=C%11C3=C%10C3=C%14[C@H]%10C%11=C3C9=C3C4=C5C4=C5C3=C%11C3=C5C5=C9C(=C1C5=C64)C1=C7C(=C28)C%12=C1C1=C%13[C@@H]%10C3=C91

The carbon junctures of \(\ce{C60}\) are pyramidal, but the question specifies that their deviation from planarity is smaller than in dodecahedrane. Consequently, their geometry is intermediate between the strongly pyramidal dodecahedral cage and planar ovalene.

The strain-based order of hydrogenation enthalpies is therefore

\[ \boxed{ \Delta H_{\mathrm{hyd}}(\text{dodecahedrene}) < \Delta H_{\mathrm{hyd}}(\ce{C60}) < \Delta H_{\mathrm{hyd}}(\text{ovalene}) }. \]

Thus, dodecahedrene gives the most exothermic addition.

3.8 — Least exothermic addition

From the same ordering, ovalene gives the least exothermic addition. Its planar carbon framework provides the least favourable fixed geometry for the newly formed \(sp^3\) centres.

3.9 — Juncture with the least deviation from planarity

The three junctures contain:

Juncture Rings meeting at the carbon Sum of ideal ring angles Angular deficit from \(360^\circ\)
A One pentagon and two hexagons \(108^\circ+120^\circ+120^\circ=348^\circ\) \(12^\circ\)
B Three hexagons \(3(120^\circ)=360^\circ\) \(0^\circ\)
C Two pentagons and one hexagon \(108^\circ+108^\circ+120^\circ=336^\circ\) \(24^\circ\)

Three regular hexagons can meet in a plane without an angular deficit. Therefore,

\[ \boxed{\text{B has the least deviation from planarity.}} \]

These angular deficits compare the local curvature; they are not themselves the axis-based deviation angles defined in 3.5. In an actual curved fullerene, small ring distortions can make a three-hexagon juncture slightly nonplanar.

3.10 — Juncture with the greatest deviation from planarity

Juncture C contains two pentagons and has the largest angular deficit. It requires the strongest local departure from a planar arrangement:

\[ \boxed{\text{C has the greatest deviation from planarity.}} \]

The ordering is

\[ \boxed{B<A<C}. \]

3.11 — Most favourable bond for hydrogen addition

Bond 9 is the common edge of two pentagons. Thus, both ends of this bond lie at strongly curved junctures involving two pentagons.

Hydrogenation at this bond converts both reacting carbon atoms toward \(sp^3\) bonding where the existing geometry is most favourable to that change. It therefore provides the greatest strain advantage among the indicated sites:

\[ \boxed{\text{Bond 9}.} \]

3.12 — Average deviation in the two spherical fullerenes

For comparable carbon–carbon distances, the larger cage has the larger radius. A sphere’s curvature decreases as its radius increases, so neighbouring bond directions change more sharply across the smaller cage.

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{\ce{C60}\text{ has the larger average deviation from planarity.}} \]

For a concrete molecular identifier, an icosahedral \(\ce{C180}\) fullerene, constructed as the leapfrog of the \(\ce{C60}\) cage, has the following SMILES:

C12=C3C4=C5C6=C7C8=C9C%10=C%11C8=C8C%12=C7C7=C5C5=C%13C%14=C7C7=C%15C%14=C%14C%16=C%13C%13=C%17C%18=C%19C%20=C%17C%16=C%16C%17=C%14C%14=C%21C%22=C%17C%17=C%23C%22=C%22C%24=C%21C%21=C%25C%26=C%27C%28=C%25C%24=C%24C%25=C%22C%22=C%23C%23=C%29C%30=C%31C%32=C%33C%34=C%35C%36=C%37C%38=C%39C%36=C%36C(=C%40C1=C4C5=C%13C%40=C%18C%36=C%35C%19=C%33C%30=C%20C%16=C%17%29)C1=C%39C4=C5C%13=C%16C%17=C%18C%19=C%20C%16=C%16C%29=C%13C%13=C4C(=C21)C1=C3C6=C9C2=C3C(=C%29C%13=C12)C1=C2C4=C6C9=C%13C4=C4C(=C%11C(=C%27C4=C4C%13=C%11C(=C%13C%27=C%29C%30=C(C%19=C%19C%18=C%18C(=C%37C%34=C%33C%32=C%32C%31=C%23C%23=C%22C(=C%13%25)C%27=C%13C%30=C%19C(=C%18%33)C%32=C%13%23)C%17=C%385)C(=C%20C6=C%161)C9=C%29%11)C%24=C%284)C8=C%26C(=C7%12)C%21=C%15%14)C2=C%103

This is an explicitly identified structural representative; the radius argument does not require a particular \(\ce{C180}\) isomer. SMILES specifies the cage connectivity, not its spherical conformation.

3.13 — Enthalpies of formation per gram

Graphite, \(\ce{C}\), consists of extended sheets of carbon atoms in approximately planar \(sp^2\) environments. It is a periodic solid, so it has no finite molecular SMILES; the atomic SMILES [C] would not represent graphite.

Within the problem’s geometric model:

  • Graphite has essentially no curvature-induced pyramidalization strain.
  • \(\ce{C180}\) has some curvature strain.
  • \(\ce{C60}\) has greater curvature strain per carbon atom.

Define the specific standard enthalpy of formation by

\[ h_f^\circ=\frac{\Delta_fH^\circ}{M}, \]

where \(\Delta_fH^\circ\) is in \(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) and \(M\) in \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\). Then \(h_f^\circ\) is in \(\mathrm{kJ\,g^{-1}}\).

Graphite is the standard reference state of carbon, so its standard enthalpy of formation is zero. The required ordering is

\[ \boxed{ h_f^\circ(\ce{C60}) > h_f^\circ(\ce{C180}) > h_f^\circ(\text{graphite})=0 \quad \text{in }\mathrm{kJ\,g^{-1}}. } \]

The corresponding formation reactions are

\[ \ce{60 C(graphite) -> C60}, \qquad \ce{180 C(graphite) -> C180}. \]

No numerical formation enthalpies are supplied, so only the ordering can be obtained.

3.14 — Potential-energy diagram

The two paths must be compared for the same amount of carbon: one \(\ce{C180}\) cage versus three \(\ce{C60}\) cages.

Because \(\ce{C180}\) has the lower formation enthalpy per gram,

\[ \Delta_fH^\circ(\ce{C180}) < 3\Delta_fH^\circ(\ce{C60}). \]

Thus, the final energy of \(\ce{C180}\) must be below that of \(\ce{3C60}\). Equivalently, the formal atom-balanced conversion

\[ \ce{3C60 -> C180} \]

is energetically downhill in this model; this equation does not assert a direct mechanism.

Nevertheless, the rapid formation process produces much more \(\ce{C60}\). In the intended kinetic interpretation, the route to \(\ce{3C60}\) has the smaller activation barrier.

The required graph should therefore have:

  1. Reaction progress on the horizontal axis and potential energy on the vertical axis.
  2. Two curves beginning at the same reactant energy.
  3. A curve labelled \(\ce{3C60}\) with the lower peak, ending at the higher product energy.
  4. A curve labelled \(\ce{C180}\) with the higher peak, ending at the lower product energy.

Thus, \(\ce{3C60}\) is favoured kinetically, while \(\ce{C180}\) is favoured thermodynamically within the stated comparison. The information does not fix the absolute product energies relative to the unspecified reactants.

The solution was checked against the official solution.