IChO 2020 · Theory problem 4

Symmetry Does Matter!

There are numerous reactions in organic chemistry that proceed through cyclic transition states and these are classified as pericyclic reactions. Woodward–Hoffmann rules, developed by Robert B. Woodward and Roald Hoffmann, are used to rationalize stereochemical aspects and the activation energy of pericyclic reactions.

Figure 1

Woodward–Hoffmann rules

Number of electrons Electrocyclic reactions: Thermal \((\Delta)\) Electrocyclic reactions: Photochemical \((h\nu)\) Cycloadditions: Thermal \((\Delta)\) Cycloadditions: Photochemical \((h\nu)\)
\(4n\), \((n=1,2,..)\) Conrotatory (con) Disrotatory Disfavored Favored
\(4n+2\), \((n=1,2,..)\) Disrotatory (dis) Conrotatory Favored Disfavored

4.1 Fill in the table for reactions (i)–(iii) or products 2–5:

Reaction Product [? + ?] cycloaddition \(\Delta\) or \(h\nu\)
i 2
ii 3
iii 4
5

There are three possible benzotropone isomers. Although two of the benzotropone isomers were isolated, 3,4-benzotropone (1) has not been isolated. Its instability is attributed to the o- quinoidal structure of 1 because it has no sextet electron system in the benzene ring.

4.2 Draw the structures of stable benzotropone isomers A (with 6 signals in its \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR) and B (with 11 signals in its \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR).

4.3 When the following tetraene is reacted under photochemical conditions, symmetry-allowed product(s) of three different ring sizes can form according to the Woodward–Hoffmann rules. Tick the correct answer in each row.

Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2015 was awarded jointly to the Turkish scientist Aziz Sancar, Swedish scientist Tomas Lindahl, and American scientist Paul Modrich for their “mechanistic studies of DNA repair”. Pyrimidine bases found in DNA may undergo a photochemical [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction (see figure above) with UV light that reaches a person’s skin, causing damage to DNA, which may ultimately lead to skin cancer. The research by Professor Aziz Sancar focused on the DNA repair mechanism for this type of damage.

Thymine (T) is one of the nucleobases that can undergo such a photochemical reaction with UV light. Let us assume that we have a solution of free thymine that was subjected to UV irradiation.

Figure 5

4.4 Considering stereochemistry, draw the structures of all possible products of this reaction between two free thymine (T) molecules. Circle the compound(s) which is/are chiral. A drawing only one enantiomer of an enantiomeric pair is sufficient. Please note that only \(\ce{C=C}\) bonds participate in this reaction.

A broad range of halogenated derivatives of norbornadiene (N) are known in the literature. Tribromo-norbornadiene (\(\ce{C7H5Br3}\)) has six achiral (meso) isomers. Three of these isomers (6, 7 and 8) are given below.

Figure 6

4.5 How many signals do you expect from the \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR spectra of 6, 7, and 8? Fill in the following boxes.

Figure 7

4.6 Draw structures of the remaining achiral (meso) tribromo-norbornadiene (\(\ce{C7H5Br3}\)) isomers (C, D, and E) in addition to 6 – 8 over the given figures in the boxes.

Figure 8

The NMR spectrum of ether 9 is complex. Two \(\ce{MeO-}\) groups are different as are all the hydrogen atoms on the rings. However, diphenol 10 has a very simple NMR spectrum and there are only three types of protons (marked as a, b, and c). A reasonable average structure responsible for all resonance structures and its symmetry is shown as 11.

Figure 9

4.7 How many signals do you expect from the \(\ce{^{13}C}\)- and \(\ce{^{1}H}\)-NMR spectra of 12 and 13?

Figure 10

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 4.1
Reaction Product Cycloaddition Condition
i 2 \([6+6]\) \(h\nu\)
ii 3 \([4+2]\) \(\Delta\)
iii 4 \([6+4]\) \(\Delta\)
iii 5 \([6+4]\) \(\Delta\)
  • 4.2
    A: 4,5-benzotropone — O=C1C=Cc2ccccc2C=C1
    B: 2,3-benzotropone — O=C1c2ccccc2C=CC=C1

  • 4.3 Tick right, left, left, from top to bottom. The indicated substituents are cis in all three selected structures. Their stereochemical SMILES are given below.

  • 4.4 Four drawings are required: cis-syn, trans-syn, cis-anti, and trans-anti thymine dimers. Circle trans-syn and cis-anti. Including both members of each enantiomeric pair, there are six stereoisomers.

  • 4.5 6: 5 signals; 7: 4 signals; 8: 4 signals.

  • 4.6 One valid assignment is C = 1,2,6-tribromonorbornadiene, D = 1,3,5-tribromonorbornadiene, and E = the other 7-configuration of 2,3,7-tribromonorbornadiene. Precise structures and stereochemical SMILES appear below.

  • 4.7

Compound \(\ce{^{13}C}\)-NMR signals \(\ce{^{1}H}\)-NMR signals
12 4 2
13 10 5

Solution

4.1

Number the tropone ring with its carbonyl carbon as C1. The starting material, 3,4-benzotropone (1), is O=C1C=C2C(=CC=C1)C=CC=C2.

Its relevant conjugated segments are:

\[ \underbrace{\mathrm{C2=C3-C4=C5}}_{\text{diene: }4\pi\text{ electrons}}, \qquad \underbrace{\mathrm{C2=C3-C4=C5-C6=C7}}_{\text{triene: }6\pi\text{ electrons}}. \]

The carbonyl group remains intact in these cycloadditions.

  • Product 2: Both molecules react through their six-electron triene segments. Consequently, this is a \([6+6]\) cycloaddition involving \(12=4(3)\) electrons, favored photochemically.
  • Product 3: The four-electron diene segment reacts with the two-electron alkene of maleic anhydride, O=C1OC(=O)C=C1. This is a thermal \([4+2]\) cycloaddition because \(6=4(1)+2\).
  • Products 4 and 5: Each combines the four-electron diene segment of one molecule with the six-electron triene segment of another. Both are therefore thermal \([6+4]\) cycloadducts, involving \(10=4(2)+2\) electrons.

The bridging ketone is particularly diagnostic for the six-electron component: closure at C2 and C7 leaves C1, the carbonyl carbon, as a one-carbon bridge between these termini. Products 4 and 5 have different stereochemical arrangements but the same cycloaddition electron count.

The balanced molecular equations for the individual channels are:

\[ \ce{2 C11H8O -> C22H16O2} \qquad(h\nu;\ \text{product }\mathbf{2}), \]

\[ \ce{C11H8O + C4H2O3 -> C15H10O4} \qquad(\Delta;\ \text{product }\mathbf{3}), \]

\[ \ce{2 C11H8O -> C22H16O2} \qquad(\Delta;\ \text{product }\mathbf{4}\text{ or }\mathbf{5}). \]

Each dimerization equation describes one product channel; forming a mixture does not change the stoichiometry.

4.2

The three possible fusion positions, after accounting for equivalent numbering directions, are 2,3-, 3,4-, and 4,5-. The question identifies 3,4-benzotropone as the unstable isomer, leaving the other two.

For A, 4,5-benzotropone, draw the benzene ring fused to the tropone bond opposite the carbonyl group. A symmetry operation exchanges the two sides of the molecule:

  • The carbonyl carbon is unique.
  • The remaining ten carbons form five equivalent pairs.

Thus,

\[ N_{\ce{^{13}C}}(\mathbf A)=1+5=\boxed{6}. \]

For B, 2,3-benzotropone, draw the benzene ring fused to the bond adjacent to the carbonyl carbon. No symmetry operation exchanges distinct carbon positions while preserving the complete structure, so

\[ N_{\ce{^{13}C}}(\mathbf B)=\boxed{11}. \]

Their names and SMILES are given in the Answers section. Both structures retain a benzenoid aromatic sextet.

4.3

The starting material is (1E,3Z,5Z,7E)-1,8-dideuterioocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene, [2H]/C=C/C=C\C=C/C=C/[2H].

Number its conjugated carbons C1–C8 from left to right. For the pathways depicted in the answer choices:

Row Reacting segment Electrons Required photochemical motion Selected stereochemistry
Eight-membered ring C1–C8 8 Disrotatory The two D atoms are cis: right
Four-membered ring C3–C6 4 Disrotatory The two vinyl substituents are cis: left
Six-membered ring C1–C6, or the equivalent opposite end 6 Conrotatory D and the vinyl substituent are cis: left

The terminal double-bond configurations explain these outcomes:

  • The full eight-electron segment has E/E terminal configurations; disrotation gives cis D atoms.
  • The middle four-electron segment has Z/Z terminal configurations; disrotation gives cis vinyl substituents.
  • The six-electron segment has E/Z terminal configurations; conrotation gives cis D and vinyl substituents.

The selected structures are:

Product Name Stereochemical SMILES
Eight-membered ring cis-7,8-Dideuteriocycloocta-1,3,5-triene [2H][C@H]1/C=C\C=C/C=C\[C@H]1[2H]
Four-membered ring cis-3,4-Bis[(E)-2-deuteriovinyl]cyclobut-1-ene [2H]/C=C/[C@H]1C=C[C@H]1/C=C/[2H]
Six-membered ring cis-6-Deuterio-5-[(E)-2-deuteriovinyl]cyclohexa-1,3-diene [2H][C@H]1C=CC=C[C@H]1/C=C/[2H]

Where a product is chiral, the SMILES specifies one member of the enantiomeric pair. Simultaneously reversing all wedges and dashes gives the equally allowed mirror image.

Each electrocyclization forms a terminal \(\sigma\) bond while shifting the remaining \(\pi\) bonds. No atoms are gained or lost:

\[ \ce{C8H8D2 -> C8H8D2}\qquad(h\nu). \]

4.4

Thymine, or 5-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, has SMILES CC1=CNC(=O)NC1=O.

Only its C5=C6 bond reacts. Two such bonds undergo photochemical \([2+2]\) cycloaddition, producing a cyclobutane ring:

\[ \ce{2 C5H6N2O2 -> C10H12N4O4}\qquad(h\nu). \]

There are two ways to connect the two molecules:

  • Syn: Form C5–C5′ and C6–C6′ bonds. The methyl-bearing carbons are adjacent in the cyclobutane.
  • Anti: Form C5–C6′ and C6–C5′ bonds. The methyl-bearing carbons are opposite in the cyclobutane.

For either connectivity, the two methyl groups can be cis, on the same face of the cyclobutane framework, or trans, on opposite faces. The original pyrimidine-ring connections are retained.

Dimer name Stereochemical SMILES Chirality
cis-syn Thymine cyclobutane dimer C[C@]12[C@H](NC(=O)NC1=O)[C@H]1[C@]2(C)C(=O)NC(=O)N1 Achiral
trans-syn Thymine cyclobutane dimer C[C@]12[C@H](NC(=O)NC1=O)[C@@H]1[C@@]2(C)C(=O)NC(=O)N1 Chiral—circle
cis-anti Thymine cyclobutane dimer C[C@]12[C@H](NC(=O)NC1=O)[C@@]1(C)[C@@H]2NC(=O)NC1=O Chiral—circle
trans-anti Thymine cyclobutane dimer C[C@]12[C@H](NC(=O)NC1=O)[C@]1(C)[C@H]2NC(=O)NC1=O Achiral

The cis-syn arrangement has an internal reflection symmetry exchanging the two thymine units. The trans-anti arrangement has an inversion symmetry in an idealized symmetric conformation. Both are achiral.

The trans-syn and cis-anti arrangements have no improper symmetry operation that superposes them on their mirror images. Each therefore occurs as an enantiomeric pair.

Consequently, the four required drawings represent

\[ 1+2+2+1=\boxed{6} \]

individual stereoisomers.

4.5

Use the standard numbering of norbornadiene, bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene, C1=CC2C=CC1C2:

  • C1 and C4 are the bridgeheads.
  • The double bonds are C2=C3 and C5=C6.
  • C7 is the one-carbon bridge.

The given structures can be specified as follows. For 7, “syn” means that the C7–Br bond points toward the dibrominated alkene bridge.

Compound Name Stereochemical SMILES
6 1,7,7-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@]12(Br)C=C[C@H](C=C1)C2(Br)Br
7 7-syn-2,3,7-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@H]12C(Br)=C(Br)[C@H](C=C1)[C@H]2Br
8 1,4,7-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@]12(Br)C=C[C@](Br)(C=C1)[C@H]2Br

Their carbon equivalence classes are:

Compound Equivalent carbon sets Number of signals
6 \(\{1\},\{4\},\{7\},\{2,6\},\{3,5\}\) 5
7 \(\{1,4\},\{2,3\},\{5,6\},\{7\}\) 4
8 \(\{1,4\},\{2,3\},\{5,6\},\{7\}\) 4

In 6, the mirror plane through C1, C4, and C7 exchanges the two alkene bridges, but the two bridgeheads remain different.

In 7 and 8, a different mirror plane exchanges the bridgeheads and the two ends of each alkene. C7 remains unique.

4.6

The following assignment of C, D, and E is valid; the letters may be permuted.

Label Name Stereochemical SMILES
C 1,2,6-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@]12(Br)C(Br)=C[C@H](C=C1Br)C2
D 1,3,5-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@]12(Br)C=C(Br)[C@H](C(Br)=C1)C2
E 7-anti-2,3,7-Tribromobicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene [C@H]12C(Br)=C(Br)[C@H](C=C1)[C@@H]2Br

To draw these on the supplied frameworks:

  • C: Put Br on one bridgehead and on both alkene carbons directly bonded to that bridgehead.
  • D: Put Br on one bridgehead and on both alkene carbons directly bonded to the other bridgehead.
  • E: Retain the two Br atoms on the same double bond as in 7, but reverse the C7 substituent orientation. Its C7–Br bond points away from the dibrominated alkene bridge.

Both C and D retain the mirror plane through C1, C4, and C7, which exchanges the two alkene bridges. E retains the plane that exchanges C1 with C4, C2 with C3, and C5 with C6.

These patterns complete the six achiral isomers:

  • One with two Br atoms at C7: 6.
  • Two with no Br at C7: C and D.
  • Three with one Br at C7: 7, 8, and E.

4.7

The averaging illustrated by 10/11 must be included. Movement of a hydrogen nucleus between oxygens is prototropic tautomerism, rather than resonance alone; rapid exchange makes symmetry-related positions equivalent on the NMR timescale.

The reference compound 10 is 4,7-dihydroxyphenalen-1-one, O=C1C=CC2=C(O)C=CC3=C(O)C=CC1=C23.

The following SMILES represent individual keto–enol tautomers of 12 and 13. Ordinary SMILES cannot encode their time-averaged fractional bond orders or hydrogen occupancies.

Compound Name of the represented tautomer SMILES
12 3,4,6,7,9-Pentahydroxyphenalen-1-one O=C1C=C(O)C2=C(O)C=C(O)C3=C(O)C=C(O)C1=C23
13 9-Hydroxy-3,4,6,7-tetrakis(methanesulfonyloxy)phenalen-1-one O=C1C=C(OS(=O)(=O)C)C2=C(OS(=O)(=O)C)C=C(OS(=O)(=O)C)C3=C(OS(=O)(=O)C)C=C(O)C1=C23

For 12, tautomeric averaging makes all six oxygen-bearing peripheral carbons equivalent. Threefold rotation and reflection give four carbon classes:

Carbon class Number of carbons in the class
Central carbon shared by the three rings 1
Other ring-junction carbons 3
Oxygen-bearing peripheral carbons 6
Peripheral CH carbons 3

Therefore,

\[ N_{\ce{^{13}C}}(\mathbf{12})=\boxed{4}. \]

Its protons form two classes:

  • Three equivalent ring CH protons.
  • Five equivalent, exchanging OH protons.

The five OH protons are distributed over six oxygen positions in the averaged description; the average drawing does not imply six OH protons. Thus,

\[ N_{\ce{^{1}H}}(\mathbf{12})=\boxed{2}. \]

For 13, the mesylated oxygens prevent the full threefold equivalence. Exchange between the remaining carbonyl and hydroxyl positions restores a left–right reflection symmetry.

The 13-carbon ring framework contains three individually fixed carbons and five equivalent pairs:

\[ N_{\text{ring carbon environments}} =3+\frac{13-3}{2} =8. \]

The four mesyl methyl carbons form two equivalent pairs, adding two signals:

\[ N_{\ce{^{13}C}}(\mathbf{13})=8+2=\boxed{10}. \]

Its proton classes are:

Proton class Total integration
Ring CH on the reflection axis 1 H
Other two ring CH positions 2 H
Exchanging OH proton 1 H
First equivalent pair of mesyl methyl groups 6 H
Second equivalent pair of mesyl methyl groups 6 H

Hence,

\[ N_{\ce{^{1}H}}(\mathbf{13})=\boxed{5}. \]

These counts include OH resonances and count distinct chemical shifts, rather than individual multiplet lines.

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