IChO 2020 · Theory problem 2

A Tale of a Reactive Intermediate

Arynes constitute a special class of reactive intermediates. The first experimental evidence for the structure of an aryne (benzyne) was demonstrated in 1953 via the elegant labeling experiments by John D. Roberts and coworkers.

In one such experiment, chlorobenzene, whose carbon at position 1 was labeled with radioactive \(\ce{^{14}C}\), was reacted with \(\ce{KNH2}\) in liquid \(\ce{NH3}\) to give nearly equal amounts of isotopic isomers A and B along with the inorganic salt C. This reaction proceeds via the formation of aryne intermediate D.

Figure 1

2.1 Draw the structure of A, B and D, and provide the formula of C. Indicate the position(s) of \(\ce{^{14}C}\)-labeled carbon(s) with an asterisk (*) whenever applicable.”

Analysis of the \(\ce{^{14}C}\)-labeled product(s) was achieved via degradation experiments (the \(\ce{^{14}C}\)- labeled carbons are not shown on the structures). Radioactivities of the intermediates and final products were examined.

Figure 2

2.2 Tick the appropriate boxes on the answer sheet for the intermediates and products that you expect to exhibit radioactivity.

Considering only A: Considering only B:
☐ Compound 1 ☐ Compound 1
☐ \(\ce{BaCO3}\) (Batch 1) ☐ \(\ce{BaCO3}\) (Batch 1)
☐ Compound 2 ☐ Compound 2
☐ \(\ce{BaCO3}\) (Batch 2) ☐ \(\ce{BaCO3}\) (Batch 2)

With the aim of facilitating aryne formation, Kobayashi and co-workers developed a fluoride-induced aryne generation protocol. Using this method, benzene derivative 3 is reacted with furan (4) in the presence of \(\ce{CsF}\), resulting in the formation of E, F, and G.

Figure 3
  • Combustion analysis of E revealed the following atom content: 75.8 % carbon, 5.8 % hydrogen, and 18.4% oxygen.
  • E does not have a proton that is exchangeable with \(\ce{D2O}\) in \(\ce{^1H}\)-NMR spectroscopy.
  • F is an ionic compound.

2.3 Determine the structures of E, F, and G (without stereochemical details).

In the absence of a nucleophile or a trapping agent, arynes can undergo [2+2]-type cyclodimerization or [2+2+2]-type cyclotrimerization reactions under suitable conditions. The aryne derivative that is obtained when 3 is treated with one equivalent of \(\ce{CsF}\) in MeCN can give, in principle, four different dimerization and trimerization products (H – K).

  • H has two planes of symmetry.
  • I is expected to exhibit 21 signals in its \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR spectrum.
  • I and J both exhibit an \(m/z\) value of 318.1 in their mass spectra.

2.4 Determine the structures of H – K.

When 5 is reacted with \(\beta\)-ketoester 6 in the presence of 2 equivalents of \(\ce{CsF}\) at 80 °C, L is obtained as the major product. The \(\ce{^1H}\)-NMR and \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR data for L, in \(\ce{CDCl3}\), are as follows:

  • \(\ce{^1H}\)-NMR: \(\delta\) 7.79 (dd, \(J=7.6,\ 1.5\ \mathrm{Hz}\), 1H), 7.47–7.33 (m, 2H), 7.25–7.20 (m, 1H), 3.91 (s, 2H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 2.56 (s, 3H) ppm.
  • \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR: \(\delta\) 201.3, 172.0, 137.1, 134.4, 132.8, 132.1, 130.1, 127.5, 51.9, 40.2, 28.8 ppm.
Figure 4

2.5 Determine the structure of L.

2.6 In the reaction shown in task 2.5, which of the following statement(s) describe(s) the function of \(\ce{CsF}\)?

  • The \(pK_\mathrm{a}\) values of \(\ce{HF}\) and \(\beta\)-ketoester 6 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are about 15 and 14, respectively.

☐ \(\ce{F-}\) hydrolyzes the trifluoromethanesulfonate (\(\ce{O3SCF3}\)) group of 5

☐ \(\ce{F-}\) attacks the \(\ce{-SiMe3}\) group of 5.

☐ \(\ce{F-}\) acts as a base to deprotonate 6.

☐ \(\ce{F-}\) acts as a nucleophile and attacks the ester group of 6.

Diazapyrone derivative 8 was shown to be a useful reactant for the construction of a variety of cyclic frameworks. Its preparation from phenylglyoxylic acid (7) and its use in two different reactions are described below.

  • Q and T are gases under ambient conditions.
  • O and P are constitutional isomers.
  • Q does not have any signals in its IR spectrum.
  • Heating 1 mol of R at 85 °C generates 1 mol of reactive intermediate S.
  • Reaction of 8 with two equivalents of S gives U, Q, and T.
Figure 5

Note:

equiv = equivalent

cat = catalyst

2.7 Determine the structures of M – U.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 2.1

The following convention defines A and B throughout this solution.

Species Identification and position of the asterisk SMILES
A Aniline-1-\(\ce{^{14}C}\): put * on the carbon bearing \(\ce{NH2}\). N[14c]1ccccc1
B Aniline-2-\(\ce{^{14}C}\): put * on a carbon immediately adjacent to the carbon bearing \(\ce{NH2}\). Nc1[14cH]cccc1
C Potassium chloride, \(\ce{KCl}\). [K+].[Cl-]
D Benzyne with one \(\ce{^{14}C}\) atom at an endpoint of its formal triple bond; put * on that endpoint. [14C]1#CC=CC=C1

Each labeled molecule contains one radioactive carbon. Interchanging the names A and B is equally valid if their columns in 2.2 are also interchanged.

  • 2.2
Intermediate or product Starting from A Starting from B
Compound 1 ☐ ☑
\(\ce{BaCO3}\), Batch 1 ☑ ☐
Compound 2 ☐ ☐
\(\ce{BaCO3}\), Batch 2 ☐ ☑

1 is pentane-1,5-diamine, NCCCCCN; 2 is propane-1,3-diamine, NCCCN. Barium carbonate is [Ba+2].[O-]C(=O)[O-].

  • 2.3
Species Name SMILES
E 6-Methoxy-1,4-epoxy-1,4-dihydronaphthalene, the oxygen-bridged benzyne–furan cycloadduct COc1ccc2c(c1)C1C=CC2O1
F Cesium trifluoromethanesulfonate, \(\ce{CsCF3SO3}\) [Cs+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)C(F)(F)F
G Fluorotrimethylsilane, \(\ce{Me3SiF}\) C[Si](C)(C)F

For E, the oxygen bridge connects positions 1 and 4; the remaining nonaromatic double bond connects positions 2 and 3. Stereochemistry is omitted as requested.

  • 2.4
Species Name SMILES
H 2,7-Dimethoxybiphenylene COc1ccc2c(c1)-c1cc(OC)ccc1-2
I 2,6,11-Trimethoxytriphenylene COc1ccc2c(c1)c1cc(OC)ccc1c1ccc(OC)cc21
J 2,6,10-Trimethoxytriphenylene COc1ccc2c(c1)c1ccc(OC)cc1c1ccc(OC)cc21
K 2,6-Dimethoxybiphenylene COc1ccc2c(c1)-c1ccc(OC)cc1-2
  • 2.5

L is methyl 2-(2-acetylphenyl)acetate, COC(=O)Cc1ccccc1C(C)=O. The acetyl and \(\ce{CH2CO2Me}\) groups occupy adjacent positions on the benzene ring.

  • 2.6

Tick statements 2 and 3:

  • \(\ce{F-}\) attacks the \(\ce{-SiMe3}\) group of 5.
  • \(\ce{F-}\) acts as a base to deprotonate 6.

Fluoride ion has SMILES [F-].

  • 2.7

O and P may be interchanged.

Species Name or precise identification SMILES
M Benzohydrazide NNC(=O)c1ccccc1
N Phenylglyoxylic acid benzoylhydrazone; shown in the cyclizing \(Z\) geometry O=C(O)/C(=N\NC(=O)c1ccccc1)c1ccccc1
O 4-(Diethylamino)-5-methyl-3,6-diphenyl-2H-pyran-2-one O=C1OC(c2ccccc2)=C(C)C(N(CC)CC)=C1c1ccccc1
P 5-(Diethylamino)-4-methyl-3,6-diphenyl-2H-pyran-2-one O=C1OC(c2ccccc2)=C(N(CC)CC)C(C)=C1c1ccccc1
Q Dinitrogen, \(\ce{N2}\) N#N
R Benzenediazonium-2-carboxylate, an internal diazonium–carboxylate salt O=C([O-])c1ccccc1[N+]#N
S Benzyne C1#CC=CC=C1
T Carbon dioxide, \(\ce{CO2}\) O=C=O
U 9,10-Diphenylanthracene c1ccc2c(c1)c(-c1ccccc1)c1ccccc1c2-c1ccccc1

Solution

2.1 — Formation and trapping of labeled benzyne

The starting material is chlorobenzene-1-\(\ce{^{14}C}\), Cl[14c]1ccccc1. Potassium amide, [K+].[NH2-], removes an ortho hydrogen. Elimination of chloride then produces D, with the original chlorine-bearing carbon as one endpoint of the aryne bond.

The balanced elimination is

\[ \ce{C6H5Cl + KNH2 -> C6H4 + KCl + NH3}. \]

Here, \(\ce{C6H4}\) denotes labeled benzyne D. Amide ion can attack either endpoint of its aryne bond. The resulting carbon anion takes a proton from ammonia, N:

\[ \ce{C6H4 + NH2- -> C6H6N-}, \]

\[ \ce{C6H6N- + NH3 -> C6H7N + NH2-}. \]

Thus the overall substitution is

\[ \boxed{\ce{C6H5Cl + KNH2 -> C6H5NH2 + KCl}}. \]

Attack at the labeled endpoint gives A, with the label on the amino-bearing carbon. Attack at the other endpoint gives B, with the label adjacent to that carbon. The two aryne endpoints are equivalent apart from the isotope, explaining the nearly equal amounts.

The formal triple bond in the SMILES represents a strained, bent aryne bond constrained within a six-membered ring; it does not imply the linear geometry of an ordinary acyclic alkyne.

2.2 — Following the radioactive carbon through degradation

Number the aniline ring so that \(C_1\) bears the amino group, with \(C_2\) and \(C_6\) adjacent to it. Under our convention:

  • A is labeled at \(C_1\).
  • B is labeled at \(C_2\), equivalently \(C_6\) by reflection.

The relevant structures in the degradation sequence are:

Structure Name SMILES
Aromatic hydrolysis product Phenol Oc1ccccc1
Cyclic ketone Cyclohexanone O=C1CCCCC1
Amino acid 6-Aminohexanoic acid NCCCCCC(=O)O
Oxidation product of 1 Glutaric acid, or pentanedioic acid O=C(O)CCCC(=O)O

Diazotization and hydrolysis replace the amino group with hydroxyl without removing its ring carbon. A balanced overall equation using the stated reagents is

\[ \ce{2 C6H5NH2 + 2 NaNO2 + H2SO4 -> 2 C6H5OH + 2 N2 + Na2SO4 + 2 H2O}. \]

The phenolic carbon becomes the carbonyl carbon of cyclohexanone. Oxime formation, Beckmann rearrangement, and hydrolysis retain that carbon as the carboxyl carbon of 6-aminohexanoic acid.

One orientation of the opened carbon chain is therefore

\[ \ce{HO2C}_{(C_1)} -\ce{CH2}_{(C_2)} -\ce{CH2}_{(C_3)} -\ce{CH2}_{(C_4)} -\ce{CH2}_{(C_5)} -\ce{CH2NH2}_{(C_6)}. \]

Opening in the opposite direction interchanges \(C_2\) with \(C_6\) and \(C_3\) with \(C_5\), without changing the conclusions.

The first chain-shortening degradation removes the carboxyl carbon \(C_1\) as carbon dioxide and gives 1. Oxidation of the two terminal amino-bearing carbons of 1 gives the two carboxyl carbons of glutaric acid. Its subsequent degradation removes those carbons, \(C_2\) and \(C_6\), and gives 2.

Stage Original ring carbons retained or collected
\(\ce{CO2}\), subsequently Batch 1 \(C_1\)
Compound 1 \(C_2,C_3,C_4,C_5,C_6\)
\(\ce{CO2}\), subsequently Batch 2 \(C_2,C_6\)
Compound 2 \(C_3,C_4,C_5\)

Consequently, A labels only Batch 1. B labels compound 1 and Batch 2. Neither starting isotopomer labels compound 2.

For completeness, the unspecified multistep arrows admit the following balanced overall bookkeeping equations. Here \(\ce{[O]}\) represents an oxygen-atom oxidizing equivalent; these equations do not specify the omitted experimental reagents. Hydroxylamine is NO.

\[ \ce{C6H6O + 2 H2 -> C6H10O}, \]

\[ \ce{C6H10O + NH2OH -> C6H13NO2}, \]

\[ \ce{C6H13NO2 + NH3 + [O] -> C5H14N2 + CO2 + H2O}, \]

\[ \ce{C5H14N2 + 4 [O] -> C5H8O4 + 2 NH3}, \]

\[ \ce{C5H8O4 + 2 NH3 + 2 [O] -> C3H10N2 + 2 CO2 + 2 H2O}. \]

Each carbonate collection follows

\[ \ce{CO2 + Ba(OH)2 -> BaCO3 + H2O}. \]

Starting from pure B, one radioactive carbon is distributed among the two carbon dioxide molecules released in the second degradation. The collected batch therefore exhibits radioactivity even though not every carbonate ion is labeled.

2.3 — Fluoride-induced aryne generation and furan trapping

Compound 3 is 4-methoxy-2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflate:

COc1ccc(OS(=O)(=O)C(F)(F)F)c([Si](C)(C)C)c1.

Fluoride attacks silicon. Cleavage of the aryl–silicon bond, followed by elimination of the adjacent triflate group, generates 4-methoxybenzyne:

C1#CC=C(OC)C=C1.

The silicon-containing product is G, fluorotrimethylsilane. The departing triflate combines with cesium to give ionic F.

The balanced aryne-generation equation is

\[ \ce{C11H15F3O4SSi + CsF -> C7H6O + CsCF3SO3 + C3H9FSi}. \]

Furan, c1ccoc1, traps the aryne in a [4+2] cycloaddition:

\[ \ce{C7H6O + C4H4O -> C11H10O2}. \]

To check the composition, take a \(100.0\ \mathrm{g}\) sample of E. Using conventional atomic molar masses,

\[ n_{\mathrm C}=\frac{75.8}{12.01}=6.31\ \mathrm{mol}, \qquad n_{\mathrm H}=\frac{5.8}{1.008}=5.75\ \mathrm{mol}, \qquad n_{\mathrm O}=\frac{18.4}{16.00}=1.15\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Normalizing to two oxygen atoms gives

\[ \mathrm{C:H:O}=10.98:10.01:2.00\approx11:10:2. \]

Thus the composition supports \(\ce{C11H10O2}\), exactly the formula obtained by adding furan to methoxybenzyne. Its calculated composition is

\[ 75.84\%~\mathrm C,\qquad 5.79\%~\mathrm H,\qquad 18.37\%~\mathrm O, \]

consistent with all three reported percentages.

The product contains a methoxy oxygen and a bridging ether oxygen, with no hydroxyl group, explaining the absence of a proton exchangeable with \(\ce{D2O}\).

The complete balanced reaction is

\[ \boxed{\ce{C11H15F3O4SSi + C4H4O + CsF -> C11H10O2 + CsCF3SO3 + C3H9FSi}}. \]

2.4 — The two dimers and two trimers

The methoxyaryne has formula \(\ce{C7H6O}\). Its two possible dimer connectivities are biphenylene derivatives:

\[ \ce{2 C7H6O -> C14H12O2}. \]

Its two possible trimer connectivities are triphenylene derivatives:

\[ \ce{3 C7H6O -> C21H18O3}. \]

The calculated monoisotopic mass of \(\ce{C21H18O3}\) is approximately \(318.126\ \mathrm{Da}\), consistent with the reported molecular-ion \(m/z=318.1\). Therefore, I and J are the trimers, while H and K are the dimers.

For the dimers, draw a biphenylene framework with a central four-membered ring and one benzenoid ring on each side:

  • In H, the two methoxy groups lie on the same side of the framework’s long axis. This is 2,7-dimethoxybiphenylene. Its skeletal structure has the molecular mirror plane and a second plane perpendicular to it that interchanges the two benzenoid halves.
  • In K, the methoxy groups occupy diagonally opposed positions. This is 2,6-dimethoxybiphenylene. It lacks that second mirror plane.

For the trimers, the three aryne-derived units can all have the same cyclic orientation, or one can be reversed:

  • J, 2,6,10-trimethoxytriphenylene, has threefold rotational symmetry. Its 21 carbons form seven sets of three equivalent carbons, predicting 7 \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR signals.
  • I, 2,6,11-trimethoxytriphenylene, lacks any symmetry operation that interchanges its carbon atoms. It therefore has 21 distinct carbon environments, as required.

2.5 — Identification of L from its NMR spectra

Compound 5 is 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflate:

C[Si](C)(C)c1ccccc1OS(=O)(=O)C(F)(F)F.

Compound 6 is methyl acetoacetate, or methyl 3-oxobutanoate:

COC(=O)CC(C)=O.

Their reaction gives L, methyl 2-(2-acetylphenyl)acetate.

Observed signal Assignment in L
Four aromatic protons, \(\delta_{\mathrm H}=7.79\) to \(7.20\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Disubstituted benzene ring
\(\delta_{\mathrm H}=3.91\ \mathrm{ppm}\), s, 2H; \(\delta_{\mathrm C}=40.2\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Benzylic \(\ce{CH2CO2Me}\)
\(\delta_{\mathrm H}=3.66\ \mathrm{ppm}\), s, 3H; \(\delta_{\mathrm C}=51.9\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Ester methoxy group
\(\delta_{\mathrm H}=2.56\ \mathrm{ppm}\), s, 3H; \(\delta_{\mathrm C}=28.8\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Acetyl methyl group
\(\delta_{\mathrm C}=201.3\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Ketone carbonyl
\(\delta_{\mathrm C}=172.0\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Ester carbonyl
Six resonances from \(127.5\) to \(137.1\ \mathrm{ppm}\) Six inequivalent aromatic carbons

The structure accounts for all eleven carbon resonances and all twelve hydrogens.

The mechanism explains the adjacent substituents:

  1. Fluoride generates benzyne from 5 and forms the enolate of 6.
  2. The enolate carbon attacks one aryne carbon, producing a carbanion at the adjacent aromatic carbon.
  3. That carbanion attacks the ketone carbonyl intramolecularly, forming a four-membered alkoxide intermediate.
  4. Re-formation of the carbonyl breaks the original bond between the ketone carbonyl carbon and the ester-bearing carbon.
  5. Protonation gives L.

Thus benzyne is formally inserted into the ketone–methylene carbon–carbon bond of methyl acetoacetate:

\[ \ce{C6H4 + C5H8O3 -> C11H12O3}. \]

Including aryne generation, the balanced net reaction is

\[ \boxed{\ce{C10H13F3O3SSi + C5H8O3 + CsF -> C11H12O3 + CsCF3SO3 + C3H9FSi}}. \]

Two equivalents of \(\ce{CsF}\) are used experimentally. One is consumed in aryne generation; the fluoride involved in deprotonation is regenerated in the formal proton-transfer cycle and therefore cancels from the net equation.

2.6 — The two functions of fluoride

The first function is nucleophilic attack on silicon, generating the aryne through desilylation and triflate elimination.

The second function is deprotonation of methyl acetoacetate. Its carbon-centered enolate can be represented as

COC(=O)[CH-]C(C)=O.

The balanced acid–base equilibrium is

\[ \ce{F- + CH3COCH2CO2CH3 <=> HF + [CH3COCHCO2CH3]-}. \]

Using the supplied \(pK_\mathrm a\) values,

\[ K\approx 10^{pK_\mathrm a(\ce{HF})-pK_\mathrm a(\mathbf6)} = 10^{15-14} \approx10. \]

On the quoted DMSO scale, this favors enolate formation. The numerical value is not an independently established equilibrium constant for the reaction solvent, MeCN, but it supports the intended basic role of fluoride.

Neither triflate hydrolysis nor attack on the ester carbonyl is needed to account for the observed reaction. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

2.7 — Preparation and reactions of the diazapyrone

Formation of M and N. Phenylglyoxylic acid 7, O=C(O)C(=O)c1ccccc1, contains a ketone that can condense with a hydrazide.

The reagent must provide the second phenyl group, both adjacent nitrogen atoms, and the carbon–oxygen unit needed for the heterocycle. Benzohydrazide M does exactly this and has the required formula \(\ce{C7H8N2O}\).

Its terminal amino group condenses with the ketone of 7, giving hydrazone N:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C8H6O3 + C7H8N2O -> C15H12N2O3 + H2O}}. \]

The hydrazone connectivity is

O=C(O)C(=NNC(=O)c1ccccc1)c1ccccc1.

Ring closure requires the carboxyl group and the nitrogen-linked benzoyl group to be on the same side of the hydrazone double bond. The corresponding cyclizing \(Z\) geometry is the stereochemical SMILES given in the Answers.

Cyclodehydration to 8. Compound 8 is 2,5-diphenyl-6H-1,3,4-oxadiazin-6-one:

O=C1OC(=NN=C1c1ccccc1)c1ccccc1.

Cyclization joins the benzoyl-derived oxygen to the carboxyl carbon, with formal loss of water:

\[ \ce{C15H12N2O3 -> C15H10N2O2 + H2O}. \]

DCC is \(N,N'\)-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide,

C1CCC(N=C=NC2CCCCC2)CC1.

It accepts the elements of water to form \(N,N'\)-dicyclohexylurea,

O=C(NC1CCCCC1)NC1CCCCC1.

The balanced equation including the dehydrating reagent is therefore

\[ \boxed{\ce{C15H12N2O3 + C13H22N2 -> C15H10N2O2 + C13H24N2O}}. \]

Formation of O, P, and Q. The alkyne is \(N,N\)-diethylprop-1-yn-1-amine,

CC#CN(CC)CC.

The \(\ce{C=N-N=C}\) segment of 8 undergoes cycloaddition with this unsymmetrical alkyne. Extrusion of the adjacent nitrogen atoms as Q, \(\ce{N2}\), gives an \(\alpha\)-pyrone.

The two alkyne carbons become positions 4 and 5 of the pyrone. Their two possible orientations give:

  • O: diethylamino at position 4 and methyl at position 5;
  • P: methyl at position 4 and diethylamino at position 5.

Both retain phenyl groups at positions 3 and 6. The balanced equation applies separately to either regioisomer:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C15H10N2O2 + C7H13N -> C22H23NO2 + N2}}. \]

The scheme’s O + P denotes a mixture of alternative products, rather than one molecule of each being formed from one molecule of 8.

Dinitrogen fits the IR observation: stretching a homonuclear \(\ce{N2}\) molecule does not change its dipole moment, so its fundamental vibration is IR-inactive.

Formation and decomposition of R. Compound 9 is anthranilic acid, or 2-aminobenzoic acid,

Nc1ccccc1C(=O)O.

The alkyl nitrite is 3-methylbutyl nitrite,

CC(C)CCON=O.

It diazotizes the amino group, producing the internal salt R. The alcohol shown is 3-methylbutan-1-ol,

CC(C)CCO.

Including the water required by atom balance,

\[ \boxed{\ce{C7H7NO2 + C5H11NO2 -> C7H4N2O2 + C5H12O + H2O}}. \]

On heating, R loses both its diazonium group and its carboxylate carbon:

\[ \boxed{\ce{C7H4N2O2 ->[85\,^\circ C] C6H4 + N2 + CO2}}. \]

Thus S is benzyne, Q is dinitrogen, and T is carbon dioxide. The equation gives exactly one mole of S per mole of R, as stated.

Formation of U. Reaction with two benzyne molecules constructs the anthracene framework through successive cycloadditions and loss of \(\ce{N2}\) and \(\ce{CO2}\).

Each benzyne contributes one outer benzenoid ring. The two phenyl-bearing carbons of 8 become positions 9 and 10 of the central anthracene ring. Consequently, U is 9,10-diphenylanthracene.

The complete balanced equation is

\[ \boxed{\ce{C15H10N2O2 + 2 C6H4 -> C26H18 + N2 + CO2}}. \]

The carbon balance is particularly diagnostic: \(15+2(6)-1=26\) carbons remain in U, while all eighteen hydrogens remain in the organic product.

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