IChO 2023 · Theory problem 4

Fluorinated and Hypervalent Compounds

Fluorine forms stable and isolable compounds with essentially all elements, including the noble gases \(\ce{Kr}\) and \(\ce{Xe}\). Fluorine-containing molecules often feature uncommon structures. Thus, fluorine is frequently involved in the formation of compounds with elements of groups 14–18, which are defined as hypervalent. The synthesis of fluorinated organic compounds is nowadays heavily based on the availability of specifically designed reagents, compound 4 below being an example.

Hint: Any element \(E\) in the series \(\mathbf{E^1}\)–\(\mathbf{E^8}\) may be represented more than once.

Figure 1

Part I. Molecular geometry

4.1 Identify elements \(\mathbf{E^1}\), \(\mathbf{E^2}\), \(\mathbf{E^3}\), and \(\mathbf{E^4}\) in the three species 1, \(\mathbf{[2]^-}\), and \(\mathbf{[3]^-}\).

Figure 2

1: neutral, non-zwitterionic molecule, \(\mathbf{E^1}\) square pyramidal, \(\mathbf{E^2}\) octahedral, average \(d(E^1\!-\!\ce{F})=1.91\ \text{Å}\); average \(d(E^2\!-\!\ce{F})=1.58\ \text{Å}\)

\(\mathbf{[2]^-}\): anion, square pyramidal, average \(d(E^3\!-\!\ce{F})=1.96\ \text{Å}\)

\(\mathbf{[3]^-}\): anion, pentagonal planar, \(d(E^4\!-\!\ce{F})=1.98\ \text{Å}\)

Hints:

  1. The molecular geometries refer to the arrangement of atoms bonding to \(E^1\)–\(E^4\)
  2. The elemental analysis of 1 gives a carbon content of 17.75 % wt.
Group 15 Group 16 Group 17 Group 18
\(d(\ce{P-F})=1.50\text{–}1.68\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{S-F})=1.52\text{–}1.60\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Cl-F})=1.63\text{–}1.85\ \text{Å}\)
\(d(\ce{As-F})=1.68\text{–}1.72\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Se-F})=1.75\text{–}1.80\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Br-F})=1.77\text{–}1.97\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Kr-F})=1.77\text{–}1.89\ \text{Å}\)
\(d(\ce{Sb-F})=1.85\text{–}2.05\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Te-F})=1.80\text{–}2.00\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{I-F})=1.90\text{–}2.00\ \text{Å}\) \(d(\ce{Xe-F})=1.77\text{–}2.00\ \text{Å}\)

Table 1. Typical \(\ce{E-F}\) bond distance ranges for a selection of elements in groups 15–18

4.2 Choose which elements \(\mathbf{E^5}/\mathbf{E^6}\) and \(\mathbf{E^7}/\mathbf{E^8}\), respectively, would display the given geometry, including \(\ce{E-F}\) bond distances close to those in 1 (see Table 1).

Figure 3

Part II. Reactivity and structure

Consider the reaction shown below:

Figure 4

4.3 Choose the ideal geometry of compound 6 in terms of the arrangement of the valence-shell electron-pair domains around the \(\ce{Te}\) atom:

  • square planar
  • square pyramidal
  • trigonal bipyramidal
  • tetrahedral
  • octahedral

Provide the expected ideal bond angles \(C^1\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!\ce{I}\), \(C^2\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!\ce{I}\), \(\ce{I-Te-O}\), and \(C^1\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!C^2\).

4.4 Write the number \({}^{1}\mathrm{H}\)-NMR signals you expect for the two methyl groups in compounds 4 and 6, respectively.

4.5 Compound 6 reacts consecutively with \(\ce{AgF}\) and \(\ce{(H3C)3SiCF3}\) (\(\ce{TMSCF3}\)). Formulate the \(\ce{Te}\)-containing intermediate A and final product B, including their correct geometry, as well as the byproducts C and D. Draw A and B and write the by-products C and D. Hint: molecular weight of D is \(92.08\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

Figure 5

Assume that compound 6 reacts with a sterically bulky, chiral, enantiomerically pure Lewis acid, such as the known boron derivative 8, as shown below. This reaction should lead to the formation of a new product 9, the composition of which corresponds to the sum of 6 and 8. Further assume that 9 is a salt, in which the cation derives from 6 and the anion from 8.

Figure 6

4.6 Draw the structure of both the \(\ce{Te}\)-containing cation and the boron-containing anion and choose the ideal geometry of the cation in terms of the arrangement of the valence-shell electron-pair domains around the \(\ce{Te}\) atom.

Hint: For 8 (chiral, enantiomerically pure) use the following schematic representation:

Figure 7

Choose the ideal molecular geometry of the cation:

  • square-planar
  • trigonal-planar
  • trigonal-pyramidal
  • trigonal-bipyramidal
  • tetrahedral

4.7 State the number of possible stereochemically different salts 9.

Part III. Synthesis of a \(\lambda^3\)-difluoroiodane and rotation around a single bond

Compound 10 is prepared from starting material 8 by oxidation with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCICA, 9) in the presence of excess \(\ce{KF}\) in dry acetonitrile as shown below.

Figure 8

4.8 Write balanced half-cell reactions and a balanced overall reaction for this process.

Hint: Abbreviate 10 as \(\ce{R-I}\), 11 as \(\ce{R-IF2}\), and TCICA as \(\ce{C3Cl3N3O3}\). The six-membered ring of TCICA stays intact upon reduction.

The \(\ce{IF2}\) group in 12 can rotate around the \(\ce{I-C}\) bond (imagine a molecular propeller). The corresponding rotation barrier has been measured experimentally, \(E_\mathrm{a}=30\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\). Furthermore, the rate constant for the rotation is \(k=2500\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}\) at \(228\ \mathrm{K}\).

Figure 9

4.9 Determine how fast the \(\ce{IF2}\) group can in principle rotate at room temperature (\(298\ \mathrm{K}\)). Consider this process as if it were a chemical reaction for which you are determining the rate constant. Write your answer on the answer sheet. The unit of the constant should be given in \(\mathrm{s^{-1}}\).

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

Names, SMILES, and precise spatial descriptions of the structures are provided in the corresponding solution entries.

  • 4.1: \(E^1=\ce{I}\), \(E^2=\ce{S}\), \(E^3=\ce{Te}\), \(E^4=\ce{Xe}\).
  • 4.2: \(E^5=\ce{Xe}\), \(E^6=\ce{P}\), \(E^7=\ce{Te}\), \(E^8=\ce{Cl}\).
  • 4.3: Trigonal-bipyramidal electron-domain geometry, with a seesaw molecular shape. The requested angles, in order, are \(90^\circ,\ 90^\circ,\ 180^\circ,\ 120^\circ\).
  • 4.4: 4: one signal for six methyl protons; 6: two signals, each representing three methyl protons.
  • 4.5: A is 6 with iodine replaced by fluorine; B is 6 with iodine replaced by \(\ce{CF3}\). Both have seesaw geometry, with oxygen and the replacing ligand axial. C is silver iodide, \(\ce{AgI}\); D is trimethylsilyl fluoride, \(\ce{(CH3)3SiF}\).
  • 4.6: Iodide transfers from 6 to borane 8, giving the cyclic telluronium cation and \(\ce{[R2B(I)(C6F5)]^-}\). The cation has tetrahedral electron-domain geometry and trigonal-pyramidal molecular geometry.
  • 4.7: Two diastereomeric salts.
  • 4.8: The balanced half-reactions are \[ \ce{R-I + 2F- -> R-IF2 + 2e-} \] \[ \ce{C3Cl3N3O3 + 6e- -> C3N3O3^{3-} + 3Cl-}. \] The overall reaction with potassium fluoride is \[ \boxed{\ce{3 R-I + C3Cl3N3O3 + 6 KF -> 3 R-IF2 + K3C3N3O3 + 3 KCl}}. \]
  • 4.9: \[ \boxed{k(298\ \mathrm{K})\approx1.03\times10^5\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}} \] or \(1.0\times10^5\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}\) to two significant figures.

Solution

4.1 — Identification of \(E^1\)–\(E^4\)

For a central atom with \(v\) valence electrons, \(b\) single bonds, and \(l\) lone pairs, its formal charge is \[ q=v-b-2l. \]

A square-pyramidal centre is \(AX_5E\): five bonds and one lone pair. An octahedral centre is \(AX_6\). A pentagonal-planar centre is \(AX_5E_2\), with two axial lone pairs in a pentagonal-bipyramidal electron-domain arrangement.

Centre Bonds Lone pairs Formal charge Required valence electrons Group
\(E^1\) 5 1 0 7 17
\(E^2\) 6 0 0 6 16
\(E^3\) 5 1 \(-1\) 6 16
\(E^4\) 5 2 \(-1\) 8 18

For \(E^2\), the group-16 element with an average bond distance of \(1.58\ \text{Å}\) is sulfur.

The molecular formula of 1 is therefore \(\ce{C6H4F9E^1S}\). Its carbon mass fraction gives \[ M(1)=\frac{6M(\ce{C})}{0.1775} =\frac{6(12.011)}{0.1775} \approx406.01\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \] Consequently, \[ \begin{aligned} M(E^1) &=M(1)-6M(\ce{C})-4M(\ce{H})-9M(\ce{F})-M(\ce{S})\\ &\approx126.86\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \end{aligned} \] identifying iodine. This also fits the \(1.91\ \text{Å}\) bond distance. The complete formula \(\ce{C6H4F9IS}\) gives \[ w_\ce{C} =\frac{72.066}{406.048}\times100\% =17.748\%\approx17.75\%. \]

For \(E^3\), the group-16 bond-distance range containing \(1.96\ \text{Å}\) is that of tellurium. For \(E^4\), the group-18 range containing \(1.98\ \text{Å}\) is that of xenon.

The identified structures are:

Species Name SMILES
1 Tetrafluoro[4-(pentafluorosulfanyl)phenyl]iodane [I](F)(F)(F)(F)c1ccc(S(F)(F)(F)(F)F)cc1
\(\mathbf{[2]^-}\) Pentafluorotellurate(IV) ion [Te-](F)(F)(F)(F)F
\(\mathbf{[3]^-}\) Pentafluoroxenate(IV) ion [Xe-](F)(F)(F)(F)F

The SMILES specify connectivity and charge. The spatial arrangements are square pyramidal at iodine in 1, octahedral at sulfur in 1, square pyramidal for \(\ce{[TeF5]^-}\), and pentagonal planar for \(\ce{[XeF5]^-}\).

4.2 — Charged analogues

The geometries remain unchanged, so the formal-charge equation determines the required groups.

Centre Required calculation Group Element selected from bond distances
\(E^5\) \(v=5+2+1=8\) 18 \(\ce{Xe}\)
\(E^6\) \(v=6-1=5\) 15 \(\ce{P}\)
\(E^7\) \(v=5+2-1=6\) 16 \(\ce{Te}\)
\(E^8\) \(v=6+1=7\) 17 \(\ce{Cl}\)

Thus the replacements are isoelectronic with the corresponding centres in 1. Xenon and tellurium have bond-distance ranges containing \(1.91\ \text{Å}\). Phosphorus has a range containing \(1.58\ \text{Å}\); chlorine provides the shortest listed halogen–fluorine distances and the closest halogen match to that value.

Species Descriptive name SMILES
1′ Para-phenylene-linked xenon/phosphorus zwitterion [Xe+](F)(F)(F)(F)c1ccc([P-](F)(F)(F)(F)F)cc1
1″ Para-phenylene-linked tellurium/chlorine zwitterion [Te-](F)(F)(F)(F)c1ccc([Cl+](F)(F)(F)(F)F)cc1

In each structure, the left-hand centre is square pyramidal and the right-hand centre is octahedral.

4.3 — Geometry and angles of compound 6

Compound 6, the cyclic iodo(phenyl)tellurane, has SMILES
CC1(C)O[Te](I)(c2ccccc2)c2ccccc21.

Tellurium has four single bonds and one lone pair: \[ 6-4=2 \] nonbonding electrons. It is therefore \(AX_4E\), with five electron domains.

The ideal electron-domain arrangement is trigonal bipyramidal. Place:

  • iodine and oxygen in the two axial positions;
  • \(C^1\), \(C^2\), and the lone pair in the three equatorial positions.

The lone pair occupies an equatorial site, where it has fewer \(90^\circ\) interactions. The electronegative ligands occupy the axial sites. Removing the lone-pair position from the drawing gives the seesaw molecular shape.

Hence \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} \angle(C^1\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!\ce{I})&=90^\circ,\\ \angle(C^2\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!\ce{I})&=90^\circ,\\ \angle(\ce{I-Te-O})&=180^\circ,\\ \angle(C^1\!-\!\ce{Te}\!-\!C^2)&=120^\circ. \end{aligned}} \]

The connectivity SMILES leaves the Te configuration unspecified, as does the problem’s drawing.

4.4 — Methyl-group NMR signals

Compound 4 is Togni reagent I, SMILES
CC1(C)O[I](C(F)(F)F)c2ccccc21.

Its iodine centre has three bonds and two lone pairs, giving a T-shaped molecular arrangement. The two methyl groups are related by the molecular reflection symmetry and are enantiotopic. In an achiral NMR medium, they have the same chemical shift: \[ \boxed{\text{Compound 4: one methyl resonance, integrating to }6\mathrm{H}.} \]

In 6, the two axial ligands differ and the two equatorial carbon ligands differ. The resulting seesaw arrangement is chiral at tellurium. The two methyl groups are therefore diastereotopic: \[ \boxed{\text{Compound 6: two methyl resonances, each integrating to }3\mathrm{H}.} \]

A racemic sample of 6 still gives these two resonances in an achiral medium, because its two enantiomers have identical NMR spectra.

4.5 — Structures of A and B; byproducts C and D

Silver(I) fluoride, SMILES [Ag+].[F-], replaces the iodine ligand with fluorine. Precipitation of silver iodide accompanies the exchange.

Trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane—the Ruppert–Prakash reagent—has SMILES C[Si](C)(C)C(F)(F)F. It subsequently replaces the Te-bound fluorine with a trifluoromethyl group, forming a strong silicon–fluorine bond.

Let \(L\) denote the unchanged chelating carbon–oxygen framework of 6. The balanced substitutions are \[ \ce{LTe(Ph)I + AgF -> LTe(Ph)F + AgI} \] and \[ \ce{LTe(Ph)F + (CH3)3SiCF3 -> LTe(Ph)(CF3) + (CH3)3SiF}. \]

Label Name SMILES
A Cyclic fluoro(phenyl)tellurane CC1(C)O[Te](F)(c2ccccc2)c2ccccc21
B Cyclic phenyl(trifluoromethyl)tellurane CC1(C)O[Te](C(F)(F)F)(c2ccccc2)c2ccccc21
C Silver(I) iodide [Ag+].[I-]
D Trimethylsilyl fluoride, or fluorotrimethylsilane C[Si](C)(C)F

To draw A, retain the ring framework and phenyl group of 6, place oxygen and fluorine opposite one another axially, and place the two aryl carbon bonds and the lone pair equatorially.

To draw B, replace that axial fluorine with the carbon of \(\ce{CF3}\). Oxygen and \(\ce{CF3}\) are axial; \(C^1\), \(C^2\), and the lone pair are equatorial. Both products consequently have trigonal-bipyramidal electron-domain geometry and seesaw molecular geometry. Their SMILES leave Te handedness unspecified.

For D, \[ \begin{aligned} M(\ce{C3H9FSi}) &=3(12.011)+9(1.008)+18.998+28.085\\ &=92.19\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \] This exposes a discrepancy with the printed \(92.08\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) hint.

4.6 — The ions in salt 9

The borane accepts iodide, [I-], from 6: \[ \ce{LTe(Ph)I + R2B(C6F5) -> [LTe(Ph)]^+ + [R2B(I)(C6F5)]^-}. \]

The \(\ce{Te-I}\) bonding electron pair leaves with iodine, and iodide donates a lone pair to boron. The Te–O and both Te–C bonds remain intact.

The cyclic phenyl telluronium cation has the two possible stereochemical SMILES CC1(C)O[Te@+](c2ccccc2)c2ccccc21 and CC1(C)O[Te@@+](c2ccccc2)c2ccccc21.

These represent opposite configurations at tellurium. Its three bonds and one lone pair give \(AX_3E\): \[ \boxed{\text{Electron-domain geometry: tetrahedral.}} \] \[ \boxed{\text{Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal.}} \]

For a drawing, retain the five-membered ring, remove iodine, mark the cationic charge, and show the three Te bonds forming a pyramid with a lone pair occupying the fourth approximately tetrahedral direction.

The iodoborate anion derived from 8 is \[ \ce{[R2B(I)(C6F5)]^-}, \] with tetrahedral boron bonded to iodine, pentafluorophenyl, and the two original scaffold arms.

Its full connectivity SMILES is
[B-]1(I)(c2c(F)c(F)c(F)c(F)c2F)Cc2c(-c3ccccc3)cc3ccccc3c2-c2c(C1)c(-c3ccccc3)cc3ccccc23.

For reference, 8, the binaphthyl-bridged pentafluorophenylborane, has connectivity SMILES
B1(c2c(F)c(F)c(F)c(F)c2F)Cc2c(-c3ccccc3)cc3ccccc3c2-c2c(C1)c(-c3ccccc3)cc3ccccc23.

Ordinary SMILES does not specify the binaphthyl atropisomeric configuration here: in both structures it is the fixed axial configuration drawn for enantiopure 8. Iodide coordination preserves that configuration.

4.7 — Number of stereochemically different salts

The pyramidal cation has two enantiomeric configurations at Te. The borate has the single inherited axial configuration supplied by enantiopure 8.

The two equivalent scaffold arms of 8 do not introduce an additional independent stereochemical choice at boron. Consequently, the possibilities are \[ (R_\mathrm{Te},\chi_\mathrm{borate}) \quad\text{and}\quad (S_\mathrm{Te},\chi_\mathrm{borate}), \] where \(\chi_\mathrm{borate}\) is fixed.

These salts are diastereomers, giving \[ \boxed{2}. \]

4.8 — Balanced redox reactions

Following the reaction drawing, 10 is the starting aryl iodide, 11 is TCICA, and 12 is the difluoroiodane.

The organic structures are:

Compound Name SMILES
10 5-Bromo-1-fluoro-8-iodo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene FC1CCCc2c(Br)ccc(I)c21
12 5-Bromo-8-(difluoro-\(\lambda^3\)-iodanyl)-1-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene FC1CCCc2c(Br)ccc(I(F)F)c21

The configuration of the fluorinated saturated carbon is unspecified in the supplied drawing and in these SMILES. At iodine in 12, the two fluorines occupy opposite axial sites of a T-shaped molecular arrangement.

Formation of two iodine–fluorine bonds is a two-electron oxidation: \[ \boxed{\ce{R-I + 2F- -> R-IF2 + 2e-}}. \] Both sides have net charge \(-2\).

Each N–Cl unit of TCICA accepts two electrons on cleavage to a negatively charged ring nitrogen and chloride. Reduction of all three units therefore consumes six electrons. Under the stated dry conditions, the intact reduced ring is written as cyanurate(3−): \[ \boxed{\ce{C3Cl3N3O3 + 6e- -> C3N3O3^{3-} + 3Cl-}}. \] Both sides have net charge \(-6\).

Multiplying the oxidation half-reaction by three and adding gives \[ \ce{3 R-I + 6F- + C3Cl3N3O3 -> 3 R-IF2 + C3N3O3^{3-} + 3Cl-}. \]

Including the potassium counterions: \[ \boxed{\ce{3 R-I + C3Cl3N3O3 + 6 KF -> 3 R-IF2 + K3C3N3O3 + 3 KCl}}. \]

The remaining molecular and ionic identities are:

Species Name SMILES
\(\ce{C3Cl3N3O3}\) Trichloroisocyanuric acid, TCICA O=C1N(Cl)C(=O)N(Cl)C(=O)N1Cl
\(\ce{C3N3O3^{3-}}\) Cyanurate(3−) ion O=C1[N-]C(=O)[N-]C(=O)[N-]1
\(\ce{K3C3N3O3}\) Tripotassium cyanurate [K+].[K+].[K+].O=C1[N-]C(=O)[N-]C(=O)[N-]1
\(\ce{KF}\) Potassium fluoride [K+].[F-]
\(\ce{KCl}\) Potassium chloride [K+].[Cl-]
\(\ce{F-}\) Fluoride ion [F-]
\(\ce{Cl-}\) Chloride ion [Cl-]

The cyanurate SMILES shows one resonance representation; its charge is delocalized.

4.9 — Rotation rate constant at 298 K

Use the Arrhenius equation with a temperature-independent prefactor over the stated interval: \[ k=A\exp\left(-\frac{E_\mathrm a}{RT}\right). \] Taking the ratio at two temperatures eliminates \(A\): \[ \ln\left(\frac{k_{298}}{k_{228}}\right) =\frac{E_\mathrm a}{R} \left(\frac1{228\ \mathrm K}-\frac1{298\ \mathrm K}\right). \]

Using \(E_\mathrm a=3.0\times10^4\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}\) and \(R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\), \[ \ln\left(\frac{k_{298}}{2500\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}}\right) = \frac{30000}{8.314} \left(\frac1{228}-\frac1{298}\right) =3.71756. \] Therefore, \[ \begin{aligned} k_{298} &=2500\,e^{3.71756}\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}\\ &=1.0291\times10^5\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus \[ \boxed{k(298\ \mathrm K)\approx1.03\times10^5\ \mathrm{s^{-1}}}. \]

The solution was checked against the official solution.