IChO 2017 · Theory problem 11

Twist & Chirality

trans-Cyclooctene has a chiral plane and a high barrier for racemization. The double bond of trans-cyclooctene is twisted, as a result, the molecule displays unusual reactivity in cycloaddition reactions.

In 2011, Fox and coworkers developed a photochemical synthesis towards a variety of trans- cyclooctene derivatives. The process is non-stereocontrolled and the synthetic scheme is as follow.

Figure 1

11.1 Draw all possible stereoisomers of compound 3 that could be obtained from the reduction of compound 2. Not necessary to assign \(R,S\) configuration.

11.2 i) If one of the stereoisomers of compound 3 is converted to compound 4, how many stereoisomeric form(s) of compound 4 will be obtained?

ii) The number of possible stereoisomeric form(s) of compound 4 = \(\boxed{\phantom{00}}\)

iii) If there are more than one stereoisomer, is it possible to separate the obtained stereoisomers of compound 4 by achiral chromatography? Tick the relevant circle.

○ Yes  ○ No

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 11.1: Two cis-fused stereoisomers of [(4Z)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-en-9-yl]methanol:
  • Syn, with \(\ce{CH2OH}\) on the same face as both bridgehead hydrogens: OC[C@@H]1[C@H]2CC/C=C\CC[C@@H]12.
  • Anti, with \(\ce{CH2OH}\) on the opposite face: OC[C@H]1[C@H]2CC/C=C\CC[C@@H]12.
  • 11.2(i): Two, forming an enantiomeric pair.
  • 11.2(ii): \(\boxed{2}\) under the single-starting-stereoisomer condition in (i). Counting products from both stereoisomers of 3 gives four forms overall.
  • 11.2(iii): No. Tick the No circle.

Solution

11.1

Number the bicyclic framework so that the cyclopropane bridgeheads are C1 and C8, and its substituent-bearing carbon is C9. The cis fusion requires the two bridgehead hydrogens to lie on the same face of the cyclopropane.

Compound 2 is ethyl (4Z)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-ene-9-carboxylate. For example, its cis-fused syn stereoisomer is CCOC(=O)[C@@H]1[C@H]2CC/C=C\CC[C@@H]12. Hydride reduction converts the ester substituent into \(\ce{CH2OH}\), preserving the cyclopropane’s relative configurations. The newly formed methylene carbon bears two hydrogens, so this reduction creates no new stereogenic centre.

There are two possibilities for the hydroxymethyl substituent relative to the bridgehead hydrogens:

Stereoisomer of 3 Precise drawing instructions
3-syn Draw both bridgehead H bonds as solid wedges. Draw the C9–\(\ce{CH2OH}\) bond as a solid wedge and the C9–H bond as a hashed wedge.
3-anti Keep both bridgehead H bonds as solid wedges. Draw the C9–\(\ce{CH2OH}\) bond as a hashed wedge and the C9–H bond as a solid wedge.

In both drawings, retain the cis, or \(Z\), double bond.

The two configurations are diastereomeric, but each is achiral: the symmetry relating the two halves of the ring makes its mirror image equivalent to itself. Reversing every wedge and dash therefore does not produce additional stereoisomers. Ordinary interconverting ring conformations are not counted separately.

Thus,

\[ \boxed{N(\mathbf{3})=2}. \]

11.2(i)

Photoisomerization changes the double bond from \(Z\) to \(E\), while retaining the cyclopropane’s relative configuration. The trans double bond forces the eight-membered ring into a twisted arrangement with planar chirality.

For either individual stereoisomer of 3, two opposite, mirror-related twists are possible. Because the starting stereoisomer is achiral, these products form an enantiomeric pair, produced as a racemate under achiral conditions.

Compound 4 is the corresponding cis-fused [(4E)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-en-9-yl]methanol:

Starting stereoisomer Product family and SMILES Planar configurations
3-syn Syn-4, OC[C@@H]1[C@H]2CC/C=C/CC[C@@H]12 Two opposite planar configurations, \(R_{\mathrm p}\) and \(S_{\mathrm p}\)
3-anti Anti-4, OC[C@H]1[C@H]2CC/C=C/CC[C@@H]12 Two opposite planar configurations, \(R_{\mathrm p}\) and \(S_{\mathrm p}\)

These SMILES specify the cyclopropane stereochemistry and the \(E\) double bond. Ordinary isomeric SMILES does not distinguish the two planar enantiomers: each row additionally requires two drawings with opposite ring twists.

Consequently, from one stereoisomer of 3,

\[ \boxed{N(\mathbf{4}\text{ obtained})=2}. \]

11.2(ii)

Reading the box as the answer field for the experiment specified in (i), enter

\[ \boxed{2}. \]

If instead all forms obtainable from both stereoisomers of 3 are counted, there are two enantiomeric pairs:

\[ N(\mathbf{4}\text{ overall})= 2\text{ precursor configurations}\times 2\text{ planar configurations} =\boxed{4}. \]

11.2(iii)

The two products obtained from a single stereoisomer of 3 are enantiomers. They have identical interactions with an achiral stationary phase and an achiral mobile phase, so achiral chromatography cannot resolve them.

Therefore, tick No.

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