International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO 2014

Hanoi, Vietnam · 9 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Particles in a box: polyenes

    In quantum mechanics, the movement of \(\pi\) electrons along a neutral chain of conjugated carbon atoms may be modeled using the ‘particle in a box’ method. The energy of the \(\pi\) electrons is given by the following equation:

    \[ E_n=\frac{n^2h^2}{8mL^2} \]

    where \(n\) is the quantum number (\(n=1,2,3,\ldots\)), \(h\) is Planck’s constant, \(m\) is the mass of electron, and \(L\) is the length of the box which may be approximated by \(L=(k+2)\times1.40\ \text{Å}\) (\(k\) being the number of conjugated double bonds along the carbon chain in the molecule). A photon with the appropriate wavelength \(\lambda\) may promote a \(\pi\) electron from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). An approximate semi-empirical formula based on this model which relates the wavelength \(\lambda\), to the number of double bonds \(k\) and constant \(B\) is as follows:

    \[ \lambda(\mathrm{nm})=B\times\frac{(k+2)^2}{(2k+1)} \qquad\text{Equation 1} \]

    1.1 Using this semi-empirical formula with \(B=65.01\ \mathrm{nm}\) calculate the value of the wavelength \(\lambda\) (nm) for octatetraene (\(\ce{CH2=CH-CH=CH-CH=CH-CH=CH2}\)).

    1.2 Derive equation 1 (an expression for the wavelength \(\lambda\) (nm) corresponding to the transfer of an electron from the HOMO to the LUMO) in terms of \(k\) and the fundamental constants, and hence calculate theoretical value of the constant \(B_{\mathrm{calc.}}\).

    1.3 We wish to synthesize a linear polyene for which the excitation of a \(\pi\) electron from the HOMO to the LUMO requires an absorption wavelength of close to 600 nm. Using your expression from part 2, determine the number of conjugated double bonds (\(k\)) in this polyene and give its structure. [If you did not solve Part 2, use the semi-empirical Equation 1 with \(B=65.01\ \mathrm{nm}\) to complete Part 3.]

    1.4 For the polyene molecule found in Part 3, calculate the difference in energy between the HOMO and the LUMO, \(\Delta E\), (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)).

    In case that Part 3 was not solved, take \(k=5\) to solve this problem.

    The model for a particle in a one-dimensional box can be extended to a three dimensional rectangular box of dimensions \(L_x\), \(L_y\) and \(L_z\), yielding the following expression for the allowed energy levels:

    \[ E_{n_x,n_y,n_z} =\frac{h^2}{8m} \left( \frac{n_x^2}{L_x^2}+ \frac{n_y^2}{L_y^2}+ \frac{n_z^2}{L_z^2} \right) \]

    The three quantum numbers \(n_x\), \(n_y\), and \(n_z\) must be integer values and are independent of each other.

    1.5 Give the expressions for the three different lowest energies, assuming that the box is cubic with a length of \(L\).

    1.6 Levels with the same energy are said to be degenerate. Draw a sketch showing all the energy levels, including any degenerate levels, that correspond to quantum numbers having values of 1 or 2 for a cubic box.

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Dissociating gas cycle

    Dinitrogen tetroxide forms an equilibrium mixture with nitrogen dioxide:

    Figure 1

    1.00 mol of \(\ce{N2O4}\) was put into an empty vessel with a fixed volume of 24.44 dm\(^{3}\). The equilibrium gas pressure at 298 K was found to be 1.190 bar. When heated to 348 K, the gas pressure increased to its equilibrium value of 1.886 bar.

    2.1 Calculate \(\Delta G^0\) of the reaction at 298K, assuming the gases are ideal.

    2.2 Calculate \(\Delta H^0\) and \(\Delta S^0\) of the reaction, assuming that they do not change significantly with temperature.

    Note: If you cannot calculate \(\Delta H^0\), use \(\Delta H^0 = 30.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) for further calculations.

    The tendency of \(\ce{N2O4}\) to dissociate reversibly into \(\ce{NO2}\) enables its potential use in advanced power generation systems. A simplified scheme for one such system is shown below in Figure (a). Initially, "cool" \(\ce{N2O4}\) is compressed (\(1\to2\)) in a compressor (X), and heated (\(2\to3\)). Some \(\ce{N2O4}\) dissociates into \(\ce{NO2}\). The hot mixture is expanded (\(3\to4\)) through a turbine (Y), resulting in a decrease in both temperature and pressure. The mixture is then cooled further (\(4\to1\)) in a heat sink (Z), to promote the reformation of \(\ce{N2O4}\). This recombination reduces the pressure, thus facilitates the compression of \(\ce{N2O4}\) to start a new cycle. All these processes are assumed to take place reversibly.

    Figure 2

    To understand the benefits of using reversible dissociating gases such as \(\ce{N2O4}\), we will focus on step \(3\to4\) and consider an ideal gas turbine working with 1 mole of air (which we assume to be an inert, non-dissociating gas). During the reversible adiabatic expansion in the turbine, no heat is exchanged.

    2.3 Give the equation to calculate the work done by the system \(w(\mathrm{air})\) during the reversible adiabatic expansion for 1 mol of air during stage \(3\to4\). Assume that \(C_{v,m}(\mathrm{air})\) (the isochoric molar heat capacity of air) is constant, and the temperature changes from \(T_3\) to \(T_4\).

    2.4 Estimate the ratio \(w_{\ce{N2O4})}/w_{(\mathrm{air})}\), in which \(w_{(\ce{N2O4})}\) is the work done by the gas during the reversible adiabatic expansion process \(3\to4\) with the cycle working with 1 mol of \(\ce{N2O4}\), \(T_3\) and \(T_4\) are the same as in part 2. Take the conditions at stage 3 to be \(T_3 = 440\ \mathrm{K}\) and \(p_3 = 12.156\ \mathrm{bar}\) and assume that:

    (i) the gas is at its equilibrium composition at stage 3;

    (ii) \(C_{v,m}\) for the gas is the same as for air;

    (iii) the adiabatic expansion in the turbine takes place in a way that the composition of the gas mixture (\(\ce{N2O4 + NO2}\)) is unchanged until the expansion is completed.

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: High-valent silver compounds

    Silver chemistry is dominated by \(\ce{Ag}\) (I) compounds. Compounds of silver in higher oxidation state (from +2 to +5) are not very abundant due to their instability with respect to reduction. High-valent silver compounds are very reactive and can be synthesized from \(\ce{Ag}\)(I) compounds in electro-chemical oxidations or in chemical oxidations using powerful oxidizing agents.

    In some peroxydisulfate (\(\ce{S2O8^2-}\)) oxidations catalyzed by \(\ce{Ag+}\), black solid (A) with the composition \(\ce{AgO}\) can be isolated.

    3.1 Choose the appropriate magnetic behavior of A if it exists as \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\).

    Single crystal X - ray studies reveal that the lattice of A contains two nonequivalent \(\ce{Ag}\) atom sites (in equal proportions) of which one denoted as Ag1 and the other denoted as Ag2. Ag1 shows a linear \(\ce{O}\) atom coordination (\(\ce{O-Ag-O}\)) and Ag2 shows a square-planar \(\ce{O}\) atom coordination. All \(\ce{O}\) atoms are in equivalent environments in the structure. Thus, A should be assigned as \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) rather than \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\).

    3.2. Assign the oxidation number of Ag1 and Ag2.

    3.3 What is the coordination number of \(\ce{O}\) atoms in the lattice of A?

    3.4 How many \(\ce{Ag^{I}}\) and \(\ce{Ag^{III}}\) bond to one \(\ce{O}\) atom in the lattice of A?

    3.5 Predict the magnetic behavior of A. Check the appropriate box below.

    3.6 The compound A can also be formed on warming a solution of \(\ce{Ag+}\) with peroxydisulfate. Write down the equation for the formation of A.

    Among the silver oxides which have been crystallographically characterized, the most surprising is probably that compound A is not a \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\). Thermochemical cycles are useful to understand this fact. Some standard enthalpy changes (at 298 K) are listed:

    Atom Standard enthalpy of formation (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 1st ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 2nd ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 3rd ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 1st electron affinity (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 2nd electron affinity (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\))
    \(\ce{Cu(g)}\) 337.4 751.7 1964.1 3560.2
    \(\ce{Ag(g)}\) 284.9 737.2 2080.2 3367.2
    \(\ce{O(g)}\) 249.0 −141.0 844.0
    Compounds \(\Delta H_f^\circ\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\))
    \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s)}\) −24.3
    \(\ce{Cu^{II}O(s)}\) −157.3

    The relationship between the lattice dissociation energy (\(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\)) and the lattice dissociation enthalpy (\(\Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}}\)) for monoatomic ion lattices is: \(\Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}}=U_{\mathrm{lat}}+nRT\), where \(n\) is the number of ions in the formula unit.

    3.7 Calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\) at 298 K of \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) and \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\). Assume that they are ionic compounds.

    The lattice dissociation energies for a range of compounds may be estimated using this simple formula:

    \[ U_{\mathrm{lat}}=C\times\left(\frac{1}{V_m}\right)^{1/3} \]

    where: \(V_m\) (\(\mathrm{nm^3}\)) is the volume of the formula unit and \(C\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,nm\,mol^{-1}}\)) is an empirical constant which has a particular value for each type of lattice with ions of specified charges.

    The formula unit volumes of some oxides are calculated from crystallographic data as the ratio between the unit cell volume and the number of formula units in the unit cell and listed as below:

    Oxides \(V_m\) (\(\mathrm{nm^3}\))
    \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\) 0.02030
    \(\ce{Ag^{III}2O3}\) 0.06182
    \(\ce{Ag^{II}Ag^{III}2O4}\) 0.08985

    3.8 Calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\) for the hypothetical compound \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\). Assume that \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) and \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\) have the same type of lattice, and \(V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}O})=V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}Ag^{III}2O4})-V_m(\ce{Ag^{III}2O3})\).

    3.9 By constructing an appropriate thermodynamic cycle or otherwise, estimate the enthalpy change for the solid-state transformation from \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) to 1 mole of \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\).

    Note: Use \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})=3180.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) and \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2})=8310.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) if you cannot calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})\) in Part 3.8).

    3.10 Indicate which compound (\(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) or \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\)) is thermodynamically more stable.

    (Check the corresponding box.)

    3.11 When \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) is dissolved in aqueous \(\ce{HClO4}\) solution, a paramagnetic compound (B) is first formed then slowly decomposes to form a diamagnetic compound (C). Given that B and C are the only compounds containing silver formed in these reactions, write down the equations for the formation of B and C.

    Oxidation of \(\ce{Ag+}\) with powerful oxidizing agents in the presence of appropriate ligands can result in the formation of high-valent silver complexes. A complex Z is synthesized and analyzed by the following procedures:

    An aqueous solution containing 0.500 g of \(\ce{AgNO3}\) and \(2\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of pyridine (\(d=0.982\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\)) is added to a stirred, ice-cold aqueous solution of 5.000 g of \(\ce{K2S2O8}\). The reaction mixture becomes yellow, then an orange solid (Z) is formed which has a mass of 1.719 g when dried.

    Elemental analysis of Z shows the mass percentages of \(\ce{C}\), \(\ce{H}\), \(\ce{N}\) elements are 38.96 %, 3.28 %, 9.09 %, respectively.

    A 0.6164 g Z is added to aqueous \(\ce{NH3}\). The suspension is boiled to form a clear solution during which stage the complex is destroyed completely. The solution is acidified with excess aqueous \(\ce{HCl}\) and the resulting suspension is filtered, washed and dried (in darkness) to obtain 0.1433 g of white solid (D). The filtrate is collected and treated with excess \(\ce{BaCl2}\) solution to obtain 0.4668 g (when dry) of white precipitate (E).

    3.12 Determine the empirical formula of Z and calculate the percentage yield in the preparation.

    3.13 \(\ce{Ag}\) (IV) and \(\ce{Ag}\) (V) compounds are extremely unstable and found only in few fluorides. Thus, the formation of their complexes with organic ligands in water can be discounted. To confirm the oxidation number of silver in Z, the effective magnetic moment (\(\mu_{\mathrm{eff}}\)) of Z was determined and found to be 1.78 BM. Use the spin only formula to determine the number of unpaired electrons in Z and the molecular formula of Z. (Z contains a mononuclear complex with only one species of \(\ce{Ag}\) and only one type of ligand in the ligand sphere.)

    3.14 Write down all chemical equations for the preparation of Z, and its analysis.

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Zeise’s salt

    Zeise's salt, \(\ce{K[PtCl3C2H4]}\), was one of the first organometallic compounds to be reported. W. C. Zeise, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, prepared this compound in 1827 by reacting \(\ce{PtCl4}\) with boiling ethanol and then adding potassium chloride (Method 1). This compound may also be prepared by refluxing a mixture of \(\ce{K2[PtCl6]}\) and ethanol (Method 2). The commercially available Zeise's salt is commonly prepared from \(\ce{K2[PtCl4]}\) and ethylene (Method 3).

    4.1 Write balanced equations for each of the above mentioned preparations of Zeise's salt, given that in methods 1 and 2 the formation of 1 mole of Zeise’s salt consumes 2 moles of ethanol.

    4.2 Mass spectrometry of the anion \(\ce{[PtCl3C2H4]-}\) shows one set of peaks with mass numbers 325-337 \(au\) and various intensities. Calculate the mass number of the anion which consists of the largest natural abundance isotopes (using given below data).

    Isotope \(\ce{^{192}_{78}Pt}\) \(\ce{^{194}_{78}Pt}\) \(\ce{^{195}_{78}Pt}\) \(\ce{^{196}_{78}Pt}\) \(\ce{^{198}_{78}Pt}\) \(\ce{^{35}_{17}Cl}\) \(\ce{^{37}_{17}Cl}\) \(\ce{^{12}_{6}C}\) \(\ce{^{13}_{6}C}\) \(\ce{^{1}_{1}H}\)
    Natural abundance, % 0.8 32.9 33.8 25.3 7.2 75.8 24.2 98.9 1.1 99.99

    Some early structures proposed for Zeise’s salt anion were:

    Figure 1

    In structure Z1, Z2, and Z5 both carbons are in the same plane as dashed square.

    [You should assume that these structures do not undergo any fluxional process by interchanging two or more sites.]

    NMR spectroscopy allowed the structure for Zeise’s salt to be determined as structure Z4.

    4.3 For each structure Z1 – Z5, indicate in the table below how many hydrogen atoms are in different environments, and how many different environments of hydrogen atoms there are, and how many different environments of carbon atoms there are?

    Structure Number of different environments of hydrogen Number of different environments of carbon
    Z1
    Z2
    Z3
    Z4
    Z5

    For substitution reactions of square platinum(II) complexes, ligands may be arranged in order of their tendency to facilitate substitution in the position trans to themselves (the trans effect). The ordering of ligands is:

    \[ \ce{CO},\ \ce{CN-},\ \ce{C2H4} > \ce{PR3},\ \ce{H-} > \ce{CH3-},\ \ce{C6H5-},\ \ce{I-},\ \ce{SCN-} > \ce{Br-} > \ce{Cl-} > \mathrm{Py} > \ce{NH3} > \ce{OH-},\ \ce{H2O} \]

    In above series a left ligand has a stronger trans effect than that of the right ligand.

    Some reactions of Zeise’s salt and the complex \(\ce{[Pt2Cl4(C2H4)2]}\) are given below.

    Figure 2

    4.4 Draw the structure of A, given that the molecule of this complex has a centre of symmetry, no Pt-Pt bond, and no bridging alkene.

    4.5 Draw the structures of B, C, D, E, F and G.

    4.6 Suggest the driving force(s) for the formation of D and F by choosing one or more of the following statements (for example, i and ii):

    i) formation of gas,
    ii) formation of liquid,
    iii) trans effect,
    iv) chelate effect.

    Official English text of the problem.

  5. Problem 5: Acid-base equilibria in water

    A solution (X) contains two weak monoprotic acids (those having one acidic proton); \(\ce{HA}\) with the acid dissociation constant of \(K_{\ce{HA}}=1.74\times10^{-7}\), and \(\ce{HB}\) with the acid dissociation constant of \(K_{\ce{HB}}=1.34\times10^{-7}\). The solution X has a pH of 3.75.

    5.1 Titration of \(100\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of solution X requires \(100\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of \(\ce{NaOH}\) solution (\(c=0.220\ \mathrm{mol\cdot dm^{-3}}\)) for completion. Calculate the initial (total) concentration (\(\mathrm{mol\cdot dm^{-3}}\)) of each acid in the solution X.

    Use reasonable approximations where appropriate. [\(K_w=1.00\times10^{-14}\) at 298 K]

    5.2 Calculate the pH of the solution Y in which the concentration of \(\ce{NaA}\) initially was \(6.00\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol\cdot dm^{-3}}\) and that of \(\ce{NaB}\) \(4.00\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol\cdot dm^{-3}}\).

    5.3 Adding large amounts of distilled water to solution X gives a very (infinitely) dilute solution where the total concentrations of the acids are close to zero. Calculate the percentage of dissociation of each acid in this dilute solution.

    5.4. A buffer solution is added to solution Y to maintain a pH of 10.0. Assume no change in volume of the resulting solution Z. Calculate the solubility (in \(\mathrm{mol\cdot dm^{-3}}\)) of the substance \(\ce{M(OH)2}\) in Z, taking into consideration that the anions \(\ce{A^-}\) and \(\ce{B^-}\) can form complexes with \(\ce{M^{2+}}\):

    Figure 1

    Official English text of the problem.

  6. Problem 6: Chemical kinetics

    The transition-metal-catalyzed amination of aryl halides has become one of the most powerful methods to synthesize arylamines. The overall reaction for the nickel-catalyzed amination of aryl chloride in basic conditions is:

    Figure 1

    in which \(\ce{NiLL'}\) is the nickel complex catalyst. The reaction goes through several steps in which the catalyst, reactants, and solvent may be involved in elementary steps.

    To determine the reaction order with respect to each reactant, the dependence of the initial rate of the reaction on the concentrations of each reagent was carried out with all other reagents present in large excess. Some kinetic data at 298 K are shown in the tables below. (Use the grids if you like.)

    \([\ce{ArCl}]\) (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6
    Initial rate (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\)) \(1.88\times10^{-5}\) \(4.13\times10^{-5}\) \(9.42\times10^{-5}\) \(1.50\times10^{-4}\)
    Figure 2
    \([\ce{NiLL'}]\) (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) \(6\times10^{-3}\) \(9\times10^{-3}\) \(1.2\times10^{-2}\) \(1.5\times10^{-2}\)
    Initial rate (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\)) \(4.12\times10^{-5}\) \(6.01\times10^{-5}\) \(7.80\times10^{-5}\) \(1.10\times10^{-4}\)
    \([\ce{L'}]\) (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.15
    Initial rate (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\)) \(5.8\times10^{-5}\) \(4.3\times10^{-5}\) \(3.4\times10^{-5}\) \(2.8\times10^{-5}\)

    6.1 Determine the order with respect to the reagents assuming they are integers.

    To study the mechanism for this reaction, \(\ce{^1H}\), \(\ce{^{31}P}\), \(\ce{^{19}F}\), and \(\ce{^{13}C}\) NMR spectroscopy have been used to identify the major transition metal complexes in solution, and the initial rates were measured using reaction calorimetry. An intermediate, \(\ce{NiL(Ar)Cl}\), may be isolated at room temperature. The first two steps of the overall reaction involve the dissociation of a ligand from \(\ce{NiLL'}\) (step 1) at \(50\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\), followed by the oxidation addition (step 2) of aryl chloride to the \(\ce{NiL}\) at room temperature (rt):

    Figure 3

    6.2 Using the steady state approximation, derive an expression for the rate equation for the formation of \([\ce{NiL(Ar)Cl}]\).

    The next steps in the overall reaction involve the amine (\(\ce{RNH2}\)) and \(\ce{^{t}BuONa}\). To determine the order with respect to \(\ce{RNH2}\) and \(\ce{^{t}BuONa}\), the dependence of the initial rates of the reaction on the concentrations of these two reagents was carried with the other reagents present in large excess. Some results are shown in the tables below.

    \([\ce{NaO^{t}Bu}]\) (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) 0.2 0.6 0.9 0.12
    Initial rate (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\)) \(4.16\times10^{-5}\) \(4.12\times10^{-5}\) \(4.24\times10^{-5}\) \(4.20\times10^{-5}\)
    \([\ce{RNH2}]\) (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2
    Initial rate (\(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}\)) \(4.12\times10^{-5}\) \(4.26\times10^{-5}\) \(4.21\times10^{-5}\) \(4.23\times10^{-5}\)

    6.3 Determine the order with each of these reagents, assuming each is an integer.

    (Use the grids if you like)

    During a catalytic cycle, a number of different structures may be involved which include the catalyst. One step in the cycle will be rate-determining. A proposed cycle for the nickel-catalyzed coupling of aryl halides with amines is as follows:

    Figure 4

    6.4 Use the steady-state approximation and material balance equation to derive the rate law for \(\mathrm{d}[\ce{ArNHR}]/\mathrm{d}t\) for the above mechanism in terms of the initial concentration of the catalyst \([\ce{NiLL'}]_0\) and concentrations of \([\ce{ArCl}]\), \([\ce{NH2R}]\), \([\ce{NaO^{t}Bu}]\), and \([\ce{L'}]\).

    6.5 Give the simplified form of the rate equation in 6.4 assuming that \(k_1\) is very small.

    Official English text of the problem.

  7. Problem 7: Synthesis of artemisinin

    (+)-Artemisinin, isolated from Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao, Compositae) is a potent antimalarial effective against resistant strains of Plasmodium. A simple route for the synthesis of Artemisinin is outlined below.

    Figure 1

    First, pyrolysis of (+)-2-Carene broke the cyclopropane ring forming, among other products, (1R)-(+)-trans-isolimonene A (\(\ce{C10H16}\)), which then was subjected to regioselective hydroboration using dicyclohexylborane to give the required alcohol B in 82% yield as a mixture of diastereoisomers. In the next step, B was converted to the corresponding \(\gamma,\delta\)-unsaturated acid C in 80% yield by Jones’ oxidation.

    Figure 2

    7.1 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of the compounds A - C.

    The acid C was subjected to iodolactonization using \(\ce{KI}\), \(\ce{I2}\) in aqueous. \(\ce{NaHCO3}\) solution to afford diastereomeric iodolactones D and E (which differ in stereochemistry only at \(C_3\)) in 70% yield.

    Figure 3

    7.2 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of the compounds D and E.

    The iodolactone D was subjected to an intermolecular radical reaction with ketone X using tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (TTMSS) and AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile) in a catalytic amount, refluxing in toluene to yield the corresponding alkylated lactone F in 72% yield as a mixture of diastereoisomers which differ only in stereochemistry at \(C_7\) along with compound G (~10%) and the reduced product H, \(\ce{C10H16O2}\) (<5%).

    Figure 4

    7.3 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of compound H and the reagent X.

    The keto group of F reacted with ethanedithiol and \(\ce{BF3.Et2O}\) in dichloromethane (DCM) at \(0\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) to afford two diastereomers: thioketal lactones I and J in nearly quantitative yield (98%). The thioketalization facilitated the separation of the major isomer J in which the thioketal group is on the opposite face of the ring to the adjacent methyl group.

    Figure 5

    7.4 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of the compounds I and J.

    The isomer J was further subjected to alkaline hydrolysis followed by esterification with diazomethane providing hydroxy methyl ester K in 50% yield. The hydroxy methyl ester K was transformed into the keto ester L using PCC (Pyridium ChloroChromate) as the oxidizing agent in dichloromethane (DCM).

    A two-dimensional NMR study of the compound L revealed that the two protons adjacent to the newly-formed carbonyl group are cis to each other and confirmed the structure of L.

    Figure 6

    7.5 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of the compounds K and L.

    The ketone L was subjected to a Wittig reaction with methoxymethyl triphenyl-phosphonium chloride and KHMDS (Potassium HexaMethylDiSilazid - a strong, non-nucleophilic base) to furnish the required methyl vinyl ether M in 45% yield. Deprotection of thioketal using \(\ce{HgCl2}\), \(\ce{CaCO3}\) resulted in the key intermediate N (80%). Finally, the compound N was transformed into the target molecule Artemisinin by photo-oxidation followed followed by acid hydrolysis with 70 % \(\ce{HClO4}\).

    Figure 7

    7.6 Draw the structures (with stereochemistry) of the compounds M and N.

    Official English text of the problem.

  8. Problem 8: Star anise

    Illicium verum, commonly called Star anise, is a small native evergreen tree grown in northeast Vietnam. Star anise fruit is used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. It is also a major ingredient in the making the flavor of ‘phở’, a Vietnamese favorite soup. Acid A is isolated from the star anise fruit. The constitutional formula of A has been deduced from the following sequence of reactions:

    Figure 1

    (I): this overall process results in an alkene cleavage at the \(\ce{C=C}\) bond, with each carbon of this becoming doubly bonded to an oxygen atom.

    (II): this oxidative cleavage process of 1,2-diols breaks \(\ce{C(OH)-C(OH)}\) bond and produces corresponding carbonyl compounds.

    8.1 Draw the structures for the compounds Y₁ and Y₂ and hence deduce the structure of Y₃ and A, B, C, D, given that in A there is only one ethylenic hydrogen atom.

    Anethole, a main component of star anise oil, is an inexpensive chemical precursor for the production of many pharmaceutical drugs.

    Figure 2

    Treating anethole with sodium nitrite in acetic acid gives a crystalline solid E (\(\ce{C10H10N2O3}\)). The IR spectrum of E shows there is no non-aromatic \(\ce{C=C}\) double bond. The \({}^{1}\mathrm{H}\) NMR spectrum of E is given below.

    Figure 3

    8.2 What differences in the structure between E and anethole can be obtained from the \({}^{1}\mathrm{H}\) NMR data? Pick one of the following statements.

    i) E contains a cis-\(\ce{C=C}\) ethylenic bond while that of anethole is trans.

    ii) E cannot contain a non-aromatic \(\ce{C=C}\) bond.

    iii) E is the adduct of anethole and \(\ce{N2O2}\).

    iv) E is the adduct of anethole and \(\ce{N2O3}\).

    v) E does not contain two trans ethylenic protons as anethole.

    On heating at \(150\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) for several hours, E is partially isomerized into F. Under the same conditions, F gives the identical equilibrium mixture to that obtained from E. On heating with phosphorus trichloride, both E and F lose one oxygen atom giving compound G. Compounds E and F have the same functional groups.

    Figure 4

    The chemical shifts of methyl protons in E, F and G are given below.

    E F G
    \(\ce{CH3-O}\) 3.8 ppm 3.8 ppm 3.8 ppm
    \(\ce{CH3-C}\) 2.3 ppm 2.6 ppm 2.6 ppm

    8.3 Suggest structures for E, F and G, assuming that they do NOT contain three-membered rings.

    A simplified structure for compound E is shown below; the R group does not change throughout the rest of this question. Compound E is nitrated and subsequently reduced with sodium dithionite to H. Treatment of H with sodium nitrite and hydrochloric acid at \(0\text{–}5\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) and subsequently reduced with stannous chloride to provide I (\(\ce{R-C7H9N2O}\)). One-pot reaction (three component reaction) of H, benzaldehyde and thioglycolic acid (\(\ce{HSCH2CO2H}\)) leads to the formation of J. Reaction of I and methyl phenyl ketone in the presence of \(\ce{ZnCl2}\) affords K.

    8.4 Give the structures for H, I, J and K in the following scheme:

    Figure 5

    Official English text of the problem.

  9. Problem 9: Heterocycle preparation

    Tetramethylthiurame disulfide (TMTD) is emerging as a useful reagent to prepare many sulfur-nitrogen functional groups and heterocycles in organic chemistry. The reactions of TMTD with primary amines, as well some corresponding post-transformations of the resulting product(s) are presented in the following schemes:

    Figure 1
    Figure 2
    Figure 3
    Figure 4
    Figure 5

    Similar transformations of benzohydrazides (containing nucleophilic \(\ce{NH2}\) group) and TMTD have been observed.

    In the synthetic scheme below, the thiocarbamoylation reaction of an aroyl hydrazine with TMTD produces compound C containing a heterocyclic moiety from p-aminobenzoic acid.

    Figure 6

    During the formation of C from B, an intermediate B′ was observed. This intermediate tautomerizes to B″. C can be formed from B′ or B″.

    Figure 7

    9.1 Give the structures of A, B, and C.

    9.2 Suggest a structure for the tautomer B″ and give a curly-arrow mechanism for the formation of C.

    Compound C was then converted to F by the following pathway:

    Figure 8

    [The group R remains exactly the same throughout the rest of the question.]

    9.3 Draw the structures of E, and F. (You do not need to draw the structure for the R group from this point.)

    E was only obtained when D was slowly added to the solution of excess \(\ce{N2H4}\) in dioxane. If \(\ce{N2H4}\) was added to the solution of D in dioxane instead, a major side product D′ (\(\ce{R2C14H12N4S2}\)) was formed.

    9.4 Give the structure of D′.

    Slightly heating of D with ethanolamine (\(\ce{HOCH2CH2NH2}\)) in dioxane for 2 hours yielded G (\(\ce{R-C9H11N2OS}\)).

    9.5 Draw the structural formula of G.

    9.6 Heating G in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as the catalyst could form a number of different five-membered heterocyclic products:

    Figure 9

    i) Draw 2 structures that have different molecular formulae.

    ii) Draw 2 structures that are constitutional isomers.

    iii) Draw 2 structures that are stereoisomers.

    Official English text of the problem.