IChO 2025 · Theory problem 7

Dubai crude oil

7% of the total

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Total
8 2 3 1 8 22

The petroleum industry plays an important role in the UAE economy. The oil called “Dubai Crude” is a benchmark for global oil prices. Crude oil is a complex mixture of organic compounds, mainly hydrocarbons, along with smaller amounts of S, N, and O-containing compounds.

The hydrocarbon composition of oil is characterised by the PONA number. The abbreviation stands for P – paraffins (alkanes), O – olefins (alkenes), N – naphthenes (cycloalkanes), and A – aromatics (arenes). One method to determine the composition of oil is gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Below are mass spectra (electron impact ionisation, \(I\) – relative intensity) of four hydrocarbons 1–4 of Dubai Crude oil. They include linear alkane P, linear alkene O, monosubstituted cycloalkane N, and arene A. Alkene O does not have cis–trans isomers. 1′–4′ are selected fragmentation products.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

7.1 Draw the structures of 1–4 and 1′–4′. If you cannot determine the structure(s) of 1–4, write the corresponding letter code (P/O/N/A) and the molecular formula.

Hint: Species 3′ is formed by a rearrangement of the molecular ion by the McLafferty mechanism.

To differentiate isoparaffins (isoalkanes, I) from n-alkanes, the PIONA number may be used for a more precise description of crude oil composition. Below are two mass spectra of branched alkanes 5 and 6. In the mass spectrum of 6, the \(\ce{[M+1]+}\) peak has an intensity of ca. 5.4% relative to the intensity of the \(\ce{[M]+}\) peak of the molecular ion.

Figure 5
Figure 6

7.2 Draw the structures of compounds 5 and 6.

Crude oil is classified by the sulfur content as either sweet (<0.5 wt%) or sour (>0.5 wt%). A \(V=115\ \mathrm{\mu L}\) sample of Dubai Crude oil \((\rho=871\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}})\) was completely burnt. The resulting gas mixture was passed through a \(\ce{H2O2}\) solution containing an excess of \(\ce{Ba(OH)2}\), leading to the formation of \(m=1.395\ \mathrm{g}\) of white precipitate. Upon acidification with \(\ce{HNO3}\), the precipitate’s mass decreased by 98.95%.

7.3 Calculate the sulfur content (\(w(\ce{S})\), wt%) of Dubai Crude oil.

In addition to sulfur, crude oil contains trace amounts of selenium, which transfers into the water used during refining. In aqueous solutions, selenium exists as \(\ce{SeO3^2-}\) and \(\ce{SeO4^2-}\).

The concentration of \(\ce{SeO3^2-}\) can be determined chromatographically by its selective reaction with diamine X under acidic conditions, forming piazoselenol Y. This reaction is complete only at the right pH range.

Figure 7

X and Y elute at different times (\(t\)) on the chromatogram shown below. The absorption spectra (1 mAbs corresponds to absorbance \(A=0.001\)) of X and Y are also provided.

Figure 8

7.4 Tick the optimal wavelength (\(\lambda\)) for the absorbance measurements in the chromatogram.

☐ 270 nm  ☐ 300 nm  ☐ 350 nm  ☐ 510 nm

Acidified water from the refining process, containing \(\ce{SeO3^2-}\) and \(\ce{SeO4^2-}\) (solution 1), was analysed as follows. A 9.50 mL sample was mixed with 0.50 mL of an aqueous solution of X (300 μM, excess) to form solution 2.

The area, \(S\), under each chromatogram peak was measured. These areas are proportional to the amount of the respective species in the peak. In a blank experiment under the same conditions with Se-free water, the peak area of X, \(S(\mathbf X)\) from the free diamine, was 0.825 mAbs·min. Running identical measurements with known amounts of \(\ce{SeO3^2-}\) showed that the peak area for Y (mAbs·min) depends on Se concentration (μM) as follows: \(S(\mathbf Y)=1.21\cdot c(\ce{Se})\).

The measurements for the Se-containing sample (solution 2) were carried out at different pH values, adjusted by adding four different strong acids. The ratios \(S(\mathbf X)/S(\mathbf Y)\) of the area under peak X to the area under peak Y for these measurements are shown in the table below. Assume all reactions have reached equilibrium.

Table. \(S(\mathbf X)/S(\mathbf Y)\) measured at different pH values with four strong acids

pH 3.0 2.0 1.5 1.0 0 −0.50
\(\ce{HNO3}\) 1.523 3.334 5.454 7.783 10.232 13.450
\(\ce{HCl}\) 0.634 0.538 0.523 0.523 0.581 0.782
\(\ce{HBr}\) 0.523 0.377 0.368 0.368 0.399 0.546
\(\ce{HI}\) 1.722 2.223 5.114 8.123 11.736 15.780

Hint: You need only two values from the table to solve this question.

7.5 Calculate the concentrations of selenium species (\(c_0(\ce{SeO3^2-})\), \(c_0(\ce{SeO4^2-})\), in μM) in solution 1.

Periodic table

Figure 9

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 7.1
Compound Assignment Molecular formula SMILES
1 N, ethylcyclohexane \(\ce{C8H16}\) CCC1CCCCC1
2 P, n-octane \(\ce{C8H18}\) CCCCCCCC
3 O, oct-1-ene \(\ce{C8H16}\) C=CCCCCCC
4 A, ethylbenzene, the preferred assignment \(\ce{C8H10}\) CCc1ccccc1
Fragment \(m/z\) Assignment SMILES
1′ 83 Cyclohexyl cation, \(\ce{C6H11+}\) [CH+]1CCCCC1
2′ 43 Propyl cation, \(\ce{C3H7+}\): propan-1-ylium from direct cleavage, capable of rearranging to propan-2-ylium CC[CH2+]; rearranged form C[CH+]C
3′ 70 Pent-1-ene radical cation, \(\ce{C5H10^{+\bullet}}\) [CH2][CH+]CCC, a localized charge/radical representation
4′ 91 Tropylium cation, \(\ce{C7H7+}\) [CH+]1C=CC=CC=C1
  • 7.2: 5 is 2-methylbutane, CC(C)CC; 6 is 2,2-dimethylpropane (neopentane), CC(C)(C)C.

  • 7.3: \(\boxed{w(\ce{S})=2.01\ \mathrm{wt\%}}\). Dubai Crude is therefore sour.

  • 7.4: Tick 350 nm.

  • 7.5: In solution 1:

  • Selenite, \(\ce{SeO3^2-}\), [O-][Se](=O)[O-]: \(\boxed{c_0=1.26\ \mathrm{\mu M}}\).
  • Selenate, \(\ce{SeO4^2-}\), [O-][Se](=O)(=O)[O-]: \(\boxed{c_0=0.473\ \mathrm{\mu M}}\), approximately \(0.47\ \mathrm{\mu M}\).

Solution

7.1 — Identification of compounds and fragments

The molecular-ion peaks occur at nominal \(m/z=112,\ 114,\ 112,\) and \(106\) for 1–4, respectively. The isotope peaks immediately above these masses are not separate molecular ions.

Compound Molecular-ion \(m/z\) Formula Degree of unsaturation
1 112 \(\ce{C8H16}\) 1
2 114 \(\ce{C8H18}\) 0
3 112 \(\ce{C8H16}\) 1
4 106 \(\ce{C8H10}\) 4

Here the degree of unsaturation is \[ \mathrm{DBE}=\frac{2n_{\mathrm C}+2-n_{\mathrm H}}{2}. \]

Compound 1 and fragment 1′. The prominent fragment at \(m/z=83\) is \(\ce{C6H11+}\). Its formation from the molecular ion corresponds to loss of an ethyl radical:

\[ \ce{C8H16^{+\bullet} -> C6H11+ + C2H5^{\bullet}}. \]

The ethyl radical is C[CH2]. Cleavage of the bond between an ethyl substituent and a six-membered ring gives the secondary cyclohexyl cation, whose structure is listed in the answers. Thus 1 is assigned as ethylcyclohexane, the naphthene N.

On the answer sheet, draw a cyclohexane ring carrying one ethyl substituent for 1. For 1′, draw the six-membered ring with a positive charge on the ring carbon from which the ethyl group was removed; that carbon retains one hydrogen.

Compound 2 and fragment 2′. A molecular mass of 114 matches the linear alkane:

\[ 14n+2=114 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=8. \]

Consequently, 2 is \(n\)-octane, P. The peaks at \(m/z=43,\ 57,\ 71,\) and \(85\) belong to the characteristic alkyl-cation series, differing by successive \(\ce{CH2}\) units.

The selected \(m/z=43\) fragment has formula \(\ce{C3H7+}\). Direct chain cleavage can be written as

\[ \ce{C8H18^{+\bullet} -> C3H7+ + C5H11^{\bullet}}, \]

where the neutral cofragment is the pentan-1-yl radical, [CH2]CCCC.

Direct cleavage gives propan-1-ylium, CC[CH2+]. A subsequent 1,2-hydride shift gives the more stable secondary propan-2-ylium, C[CH+]C. The mass of this peak alone does not distinguish these ion structures.

Compound 3 and fragment 3′. This compound has formula \(\ce{C8H16}\) and is the specified linear alkene. An internal double bond in a linear eight-carbon monoalkene would permit cis–trans isomerism. Therefore the double bond must be terminal: 3 is oct-1-ene, O.

The marked fragment is at \(m/z=70\), corresponding to \(\ce{C5H10^{+\bullet}}\). Its formation involves loss of neutral propene, C=CC:

\[ \ce{C8H16^{+\bullet} -> C5H10^{+\bullet} + C3H6}. \]

Number the oct-1-ene chain from the double-bond end, so the initial double bond is between C1 and C2. In the McLafferty rearrangement:

  1. A hydrogen on C5 transfers to C1 through a six-membered arrangement involving C1–C5 and the transferred hydrogen.
  2. The C3–C4 bond breaks.
  3. Double bonds form between C2–C3 and C4–C5.

The C1–C3 portion becomes neutral propene. The C4–C8 portion becomes the pent-1-ene radical cation, 3′.

For the requested drawing, show the pent-1-ene structure in brackets with \(+\bullet\) outside the brackets. The SMILES [CH2][CH+]CCC gives one localized charge/radical representation; the ion’s electronic structure is delocalized over the original alkene unit. SMILES does not show the folded rearrangement geometry or the coupled electron movement described above.

Compound 4 and fragment 4′. The molecular ion at \(m/z=106\) gives \(\ce{C8H10}\), consistent with an arene. The dominant \(m/z=91\) peak is characteristic of the resonance-stabilized \(\ce{C7H7+}\) ion.

The preferred assignment is ethylbenzene, A. Loss of a methyl radical, [CH3], gives a benzyl cation, [CH2+]c1ccccc1, which can rearrange to the tropylium cation:

\[ \ce{C8H10^{+\bullet} -> C7H7+ + CH3^{\bullet}}. \]

For 4′, draw a seven-membered carbon ring with three alternating double bonds and an overall positive charge. The positive charge is delocalized; the ring contains six \(\pi\) electrons. The SMILES in the answer represents one Kekulé form.

7.2 — Identification of the branched alkanes

For 5, the molecular-ion peak at \(m/z=72\) gives

\[ 14n+2=72 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=5, \] so its formula is \(\ce{C5H12}\).

There are two branched alkane structures with this formula: 2-methylbutane, CC(C)CC, and 2,2-dimethylpropane, CC(C)(C)C.

The strong \(m/z=43\) peak of 5 is consistent with cleavage of 2-methylbutane to the secondary propan-2-ylium ion:

\[ \ce{C5H12^{+\bullet} -> C3H7+ + C2H5^{\bullet}}. \]

Thus 5 is 2-methylbutane.

For 6, the usual natural-abundance contribution of \(\ce{^{13}C}\) is approximately \(1.1\%\) to the \(M+1\) peak per carbon atom. Hence

\[ n_{\mathrm C}\approx\frac{5.4}{1.1}\approx5. \]

As an alkane, 6 therefore also has formula \(\ce{C5H12}\). Its dominant \(m/z=57\) peak corresponds to a tert-butyl cation, C[C+](C)C:

\[ \ce{C5H12^{+\bullet} -> C4H9+ + CH3^{\bullet}}. \]

All four carbon–carbon bonds of neopentane are equivalent, and cleavage of any one produces this stabilized tertiary carbocation. This accounts for the dominant fragment and the very weak molecular ion.

Thus 6 is 2,2-dimethylpropane. Draw one central carbon bonded to four methyl groups.

7.3 — Sulfur content

Combustion produces carbon dioxide and sulfur oxides. In the alkaline peroxide solution, carbon is collected as barium carbonate, [Ba+2].[O-]C(=O)[O-], and sulfur as barium sulfate, [Ba+2].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].

The relevant balanced collection reactions are

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

\[ \ce{SO2 + H2O2 + Ba(OH)2 -> BaSO4(s) + 2H2O}. \]

Nitric acid dissolves the carbonate:

\[ \ce{BaCO3(s) + 2HNO3 -> Ba(NO3)2 + CO2(g) + H2O}. \]

Barium sulfate remains as the acid-insoluble precipitate.

The other species in these equations are carbon dioxide O=C=O, sulfur dioxide O=S=O, hydrogen peroxide OO, barium hydroxide [Ba+2].[OH-].[OH-], water O, nitric acid O=[N+]([O-])O, and barium nitrate [Ba+2].[O-][N+](=O)[O-].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]. The disconnected ionic SMILES specify composition, not crystal structures.

The remaining precipitate mass is

\[ m(\ce{BaSO4}) =1.395(1-0.9895) =0.0146475\ \mathrm g. \]

Using the supplied atomic masses,

\[ M(\ce{BaSO4}) =137.33+32.06+4(16.00) =233.39\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Each mole of barium sulfate contains one mole of sulfur, so

\[ m(\ce S) =0.0146475\ \mathrm g \frac{32.06}{233.39} =2.01208\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm g. \]

The original oil mass is

\[ m_{\mathrm{oil}} =\rho V =(871\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}) (1.15\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{dm^3}) =0.100165\ \mathrm g. \]

Therefore,

\[ w(\ce S) =\frac{2.01208\times10^{-3}}{0.100165}\times100\% =2.00876\%. \]

\[ \boxed{w(\ce S)=2.01\ \mathrm{wt\%}}. \]

Since this exceeds \(0.5\ \mathrm{wt\%}\), the oil is sour.

7.4 — Detection wavelength

Choose

\[ \boxed{\lambda=350\ \mathrm{nm}}. \]

The absorption spectrum of Y has its strongest maximum near this wavelength, giving the highest sensitivity for the selenium-containing derivative among the listed choices. The other wavelengths give weaker absorption by Y; at 510 nm its absorption is essentially zero.

7.5 — Selenium speciation

The derivatizing reagent X is 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine, Nc1ccc([N+](=O)[O-])cc1N. Product Y is 5-nitro-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole, O=[N+]([O-])c1ccc2n[se]nc2c1.

The condensation with selenous acid, O[Se](=O)O, is

\[ \ce{C6H7N3O2 + H2SeO3 ->[H+] C6H3N3O2Se + 3H2O}. \]

Thus one mole of X is consumed for each mole of Y formed, and each mole of Y contains one mole of selenium.

The two useful ratios are the constant minimum values at pH 1.0–1.5:

\[ R_{\ce{HCl}}=0.523, \qquad R_{\ce{HBr}}=0.368. \]

These are the conditions for quantitative derivatization. In hydrochloric acid, chloride, [Cl-], does not reduce selenate under these conditions, so the signal measures the original selenium(IV).

Bromide, [Br-], reduces selenium(VI) to selenium(IV):

\[ \ce{SeO4^2- + 2Br- + 2H+ -> SeO3^2- + Br2 + H2O}. \]

Here bromine is BrBr, and the proton is [H+]. The HBr measurement therefore measures the sum of the original selenium(IV) and selenium(VI).

First calculate the concentration of X introduced into solution 2:

\[ c_{\mathbf X,0} =300\ \mathrm{\mu M}\, \frac{0.50\ \mathrm{mL}}{10.00\ \mathrm{mL}} =15.0\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

The blank establishes the response coefficient for free X:

\[ k_{\mathbf X} =\frac{0.825\ \mathrm{mAbs\,min}}{15.0\ \mathrm{\mu M}} =0.0550\ \mathrm{mAbs\,min\,\mu M^{-1}}. \]

Let \(y\), expressed in μM, be the concentration of Y formed in solution 2. The remaining free diamine concentration is \(15.0-y\). Therefore,

\[ S(\mathbf X)=0.0550(15.0-y), \qquad S(\mathbf Y)=1.21y, \] with both peak areas in mAbs·min.

Consequently,

\[ R=\frac{S(\mathbf X)}{S(\mathbf Y)} =\frac{0.0550(15.0-y)}{1.21y}, \]

and

\[ y=\frac{0.825}{0.0550+1.21R} =\frac{15.0}{1+22.0R}\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

For the HCl measurement,

\[ y_{\ce{HCl}} =\frac{15.0}{1+22.0(0.523)} =1.199424\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

This is the original selenite concentration after dilution into solution 2.

For the HBr measurement,

\[ y_{\ce{HBr}} =\frac{15.0}{1+22.0(0.368)} =1.649077\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

This is the total selenium concentration in solution 2. Thus the original selenate contribution in solution 2 is

\[ 1.649077-1.199424 =0.449652\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

Finally, correct for dilution from 9.50 mL of solution 1 to 10.00 mL of solution 2:

\[ c_0(\ce{SeO3^2-}) =1.199424\frac{10.00}{9.50} =1.262552\ \mathrm{\mu M}, \]

\[ c_0(\ce{SeO4^2-}) =0.449652\frac{10.00}{9.50} =0.473318\ \mathrm{\mu M}. \]

Hence

\[ \boxed{c_0(\ce{SeO3^2-})=1.26\ \mathrm{\mu M}}, \qquad \boxed{c_0(\ce{SeO4^2-})=0.473\ \mathrm{\mu M}}. \]

The last value is about \(0.47\ \mathrm{\mu M}\), allowing for the rounding of the tabulated ratios.

The solution was checked against the official solution.