CH 610B

Final Exam

Spring,2002

Friday, May 10

Prof.N.L.Bauld

 

 

 

                                                                        Answer Key

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Question

Possible Points

Page/Pts Earned

Score

I.

37

2/11/

3/9/

4/7/

5/4/

6/6/

 

II.

 

37

7/11/

8/7/

9/7/

10/12/

 

III.

 

29

11/9/

12/10/

13/10/

 

IV.

20

14/10/

15/10/

 

V.

 

 

29

16/7

17/11

18/11

 

Totals

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I. Conjugated Dienes

 

A.Structure and Nomenclature

            1. [2 pts]  Provide the IUPAC name and numbering system for the following conjugated diene:

4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene

 

            2. [3 pts] Draw Newman projection structures for both planar conformations of 1,3-butadiene and provide the appropriate names for them.

 

3. [2 pts] Using the above drawings, explain why these planar conformations are strongly favored over other, nonplanar, conformations. Show any relevant overlaps by means of orbital depictions.

Only in the planar conformations are the 2p AO’s at C2 and C3 parallel, so as to give maximum overlap and resonance stabilization. (See drawing above for orbital overlaps)

4. [1 pts]Name one type of effect would normally tend to disfavor the planar forms. Torsional effects.

5. [1 pts] Which one of the two planar forms is the more stable? Explain, using a structural illustration. The s-trans-conformation is the more stable one because of the inside H/H steric repulsion in the s-cis conformation.

 

6. [2 pts] The diene the structure of which is shown in question 1 above does not undergo the Diels-Alder reaction at all. Explain this total lack of reactivity, being very specific about the structural effect you are proposing and illustrating it.(Hint: Draw the s-cis conformation and examine it) The s-cis conformation is required to undergo the Diels-Alder reaction, but cannot be readily formed by this diene because it has an inside methyl group, which exerts a powerful steric repulsion vs. the inside H.

7. [1 pts] Show the Newman projection structure of the conformation of 1,3-butadiene generated after a rotation of 90 degrees from either planar conformation. How much resonance stabilization is present in this conformation? Explain, again using orbital depictions.

B. Conjugate Addition

            1.Mechanism of the Addition of HBr to 1,3-butadiene.

                        a. [3 pts]Write the detailed mechanism for the addition of hydrogen bromide to 1,3-butadiene as carried out at –78 degrees. Draw the structure of the products and indicate which product is major. [route b is the major route]

 

 

                        b. [3 pts] Provide a resonance theoretical treatment of the intermediate carbocation and summarize as a dotted line/partial charge structure. Characterize this structure as completely as you can, indicating at which carbon the positive charge is largest and explaining why in terms of resonance theory.

 

Resonance Theoretical Treatment

Dotted Line/Partial Charge Structure

 

q      The first structure drawn above is of lower energy than the second canonical structure, because the first is a secondary carbocation, while the second is a primary carbocation.

q      The real structure (resonance hybride) more closely resembles the lower energy structure, which has a secondary carbocation center.

q      Therefore, the resonance hybrid has more carbocation character at the secondary than at the primary carbon.

           

                        c. [2 pts]Use this characterization to explain the predominance of one product over the other. Make your argument stepwise and logical.

q      The bromide ion reacts preferentially at the site of highest positive charge density.

q      That is, at the secondary carbon, to give:

d. [1 pt]What kind of control is this?

q      This is kinetic control (or, rate control).

            2. Addition of HBr to 1,3-Butadiene at Room Temperature

a.      [1 pts] Indicate which product is the major one at room temperature, and indicate what kind of control is involved in these circumstances.

q      Thermodynamic (or, equilibrium) Control.

q      This gives the major product:

 

 

 

b.    [2 pts] Provide a mechanistic explanation of how these two products are interconverted.

 

 

 

 

c.     [1  pts]Provide a specific structure-based explanation of why the major product is the favored one under these conditions.

 

q      This is a disubstituted alkene, whereas the other product is a monosubstituted alkene.

q      Disubstituted alkenes are more stable than monosubstitued ones (alkyl substitution stabilizes double bonds.

 

 

            3. Thermodynamic vs. Kinetic Control

                        a. [2 pts] Suppose two products, A and B, are formed in a certain reaction and product A is the major product. You want to know whether this product mixture is kinetically controlled or thermodynamically controlled. Explain how you could decisively determine what kind of control is operative.

 

q      Purify A and B

q      Subject each individually pure isomer to the exact reaction conditions, including temperature, solvent, reaction time, etc.

q      If A remains pure A, without isomerizing, and B remains pure B, after this reaction time, the product mixture was kinetically controlled.

q      On the ther hand, if pure A  and pure B both rearrange to the same mixture of A and B as obtained in the original reaction, the product mixture is thermodynamically controlled.

C. Diels-Alder Cycloaddition

            1. [3 pts] Consider the prototype Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between 1,3-butadiene and ethane, shown below. Using resonance theory, derive a TS model for this reaction and summarize as a dotted line structure. Characterize the TS model as carefully as you can. Use this TS model characterization to explain why the Diels-Alder reaction is so facile (easy and fast).

 

q      Cyclic 6e conjugated system

q      Aromatic TS

 

 

            3. [1 pts] Consider the TS model for the reaction between two ethene molecules to give cyclobutane. Characterize this TS model in the same way as for the Diels-Alder reaction, and explain why this reaction is not observed. (Of course, ring strain in the cyclobutane ring is also a factor, but do not consider ring strain in your answer).

 

q      This has a cyclic conjugated system of 4e.

q      This system is antiaromatic (or non-aromatic)

 

4. [2 pts] Draw the structures of the Diels-Alder adducts obtained in each of the following reactions.

 

 

            5.[ 2 pts each = 4 pts] Provide the appropriate numbering systems and derive the IUPAC names of the following bicyclic molecules.

 

q      The first is: exo-5-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]-heptene-2 {the exo will not be required, but give 1 extra point if it is present}

q      The second is: bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane.

 

 

 

II. Polymerization

 

A.. Radical Chain Polymerization

            1. [3 pts] Mechanism of the Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride (Chloroethene).

a.     Write the detailed mechanism for the radical polymerization of vinyl chloride.  You need not write the termination steps, but carry the propagation steps out to the point where three monomer units are incorporated.

 

 

 

 

                        b. [2 pts] What kind of initiator is usually employed (draw a structure and provide a generic name)? Explain why these compounds are effective initiators.

q      A peroxide ( or, an organic peroxide), as shown above.

q      The O-O bond is unusually weak, and is readily homolyzed at convenient temperatures.

 

c. [2 pts] Draw the repeat structure of the polymer and provide its formal name.

q      The formal name is: poly(vinyl chloride) ; note that the parentheses are necessary because the monomer name is compound.

 

 

d.    [4 pts] Consider the three possible structures of the polymer of vinyl chloride given below. In what general kind of selectivity do they differ from each other? Indicate the specific names given to each polymer structure according  to the sub-type of selectivity involved. Finally, which type of polymer is actually observed in the polymerization of vinyl chloride?

 

A                                                         B                                                         C

q      They differ in regiospecificity or regioselectivity.

q      A is head-to tail regiospecific; B is non-regiospecific; C is head-to-head regiospecific.

q      A is favored.

 

e.     [2 pts] Based upon the two TS models given below for two different selectivity modes, explain the specific selectivity preference observed with vinyl chloride, based upon comparative characters of the two TS’s. (Do not consider steric effects).

 

This has radical character                                            This has primary radical character

stabilized by a chlorine substituent

It is therefore preferred over primary

radical character.

 

f.     [2 pts] Draw a molecular orbital diagram which illustrates the effect a chlorine substituent has upon a radical site and indicate the specific name given to this type of bonding interaction.

 

q      This is known as 3 electron bonding.

 

 

            2. Polymerization of Ethene.

a.     [3 pts] Provide a mechanistic explanation, using appropriate structural illustrations, of why the polyethylene obtained in the radical polymerization of ethane is not of the “straight chain”, i.e., unbranched variety.

 

 

b.    [1 pts] Explain why, in contrast, the polymer derived from vinyl chloride by radical polymerization is not branched.

q      In this case, the radical is not primary , being stabilized by the chlorine substituent, so the radical is more stable and not as reactive toward hydrogen abstraction.

 

 

B. Chain Growth Polymerization

            1. Nylon 66

a.     [1 pts] Illustrate, by equation, what product is formed initially when the two components of Nylon 66 are combined at room temperature

 

 

 

 

b.    [2 pts] Upon heating this initial product, polymerization begins. Draw the structure of the first product, loosely speaking a “dimer”, which is formed in this reaction. With what kind of bond are the two monomers attached together? Amide bond.

 

 

c.     [2 pts] Illustrate the structure of “trimer” which would be formed in the next step.

 

(This is one trimer; another one is also possible)

 

d.    [1 pts] Provide the “repeat structure” of Nylon 66. Why is it called “66”? Both comonomers have 6 carbons.

 

[Note to graders: There are a few other correct ways of writing this]

 

C. Chain Growth vs. Step Growth Polymerization.

 

1.    [1 pts] Indicate whether the polymerization of ethene is a chain growth or step growth process.

Chain Growth

2.    [1 pts]What kind of growth is involved in the Nylon 66 polymerization?

Step Growth

3.    [2 pts] Specifically indicate an experimental test for which type of polymer growth is involved in a given polymerization reaction.

q      Stop the polymerization after short reaction times (or, low monomer conversions, such as 5-10%).

q      If the monomer consumed is converted to high polymer, this is a chain growth process.

q      If only dimers, trimers, or low oligomers are formed, this is a step growth process.

q       

D. Ziegler-Natta Polymerization

1.Mechanism of the Ziegler-Natta Polymerization of Ethene

a.     [3 pts] Sketch the mechanism for the Ziegler-Natta polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and provide the specific structure of this polymer.

 

Structure:

b.    [2 pts]What is unique about the structure of this polymer (Two different selectivity elements).

Selectivie 1,4-addition to the diene (conjugate addition)

Selective addition to the less prevalent s-cis conformation to give the the cis- polymer.

 

[1 pt]What kind of properties does this polymer have?

q      It is elastomeric (rubbery).

 

E. Stereoregular Polymers

 

1.    [2 pts]Indicate the specific names associated with the stereoregular polymers shown below.

 

isotactic                                                   syndiotactic

 

 

III.Carbohydrates

 

A. Classifications, Fischer Structures,  and Stereoisomerism

            1. [1 pts] The structure of D-erythrose is provided below. Draw the Fischer structure of its enantiomer and explain why the structure provided is classified as the D enantiomer.

 

q      The D family has the OH group to the right at the stereocenter most remote from the aldehyde functionality.

 

            2. [3 pts] Draw the Fischer structures of any other stereoisomers of D-erythrose and classify them as D or L. How many stereoisomers are there, counting both D- and L-erythrose and all of their stereoisomers? Explain why this is this expected number of stereoisomers based upon the number and type of stereocenters and a specific rule.

q      There are 4 stereoisomers

q      There are two stereocenters

q      The 2n Rule.

 

            3. [2 pts] Provide the Fischer structures and names of two aldopentoses (including whether they are D or L).

 

            4. [2 pts] Draw the Fischer structures of D-glucose and D-mannose.

 

            5. [1 pts]Draw the Fischer structure of L-glucose. Which is more thermodynamically stable, D- or L-glucose. Explain.

q      They are both equally stable, since they are enantiomers.

 

B. Cyclic Structures

            1. [3 pts] Draw the conformational (chair) structures of the two cyclized forms of D-glucose and provide the complete name of each. What is the general name given to two isomers of this type?

 

q      These are called anomers.

 

            2. [1 pt] Indicate which one of the cyclized structures is more stable and why.

q      The beta anomer is more stable because the hydroxyl group at C1 is equatorial, whereas the hydroxyl group at C1 in the alpha anomer is axial.

 

3. [1 pts] Draw the conformational structure of the two cyclized forms of D-mannose. Compare the thermodynamic stabilities of the more stable of these two cyclized forms of mannose with the more stable cyclized isomer of D-glucose. Which is more stable and why?

q      Even the more stable beta anomer of mannose has one hydroxyl group axial, that at C2, while the beta anomer of D-glucose has all hydroxyl groups equatorial.

q      So, the beta anomer of the cyclized form of D-glucose is more stable than the beta anomer of the cyclized form of D-mannose.

 

4. [1 pt] Briefly explain, without any mechanistic sketch, why D-glucose and D-mannose are relatively easy to interconvert..

q      They differ only in their configurations at C2, which is an alpha type carbon with acidic alpha type protons, which are easily removed to form the enol or enolate.

 

 

5. [2 pts] Provide a mechanistic sketch of how the two cyclic isomers of D-glucose are interconverted. What does this have to do with mutarotation?

q      The equilibration of alpha and beta anomers is what causes the change in rotation.

 

6. [2 pts]Which is more stable, the acyclic (open chain) form or the cyclized form of D-glucose? Explain this, making a comparison to the analogous reaction of an alcohol with an aldehyde.

q      The cyclized form is more stable, in contrast to the simple reaction of an alcohol with an aldehyde.

q      The intramolecular hemiacetal formation is much more favorable than intermolecular hemiacetal formation because the latter involves the combination of two molecues into one—i.e., the loss of translational entropy.

D. Disaccharides and Polysaccharides

 

            1. [2 pts] Draw the conformational structures of cellobiose and maltose.

 

q      Note that either anomer can be counted correct for either disaccharide.

 

            2. [1 pts] Indicate which one of these is more stable and explain why.

q      Cellobiose is more stable, because it has a beta (equatorial) glycoside (acetal) linkage.

 

            3. [2 pts] For cellobiose, indicate any functionalities which are of the glycoside or hemiacetal type and designate each one. Is cellobiose a reducing sugar? Why or why not?

q      Yes, it is a reducing sugar, since it has a hemiacetal function, which can equilibrate with the free aldehyde form.

 

            4. [2 pts]  For D-sucrose, the structure of which is shown below, indicate any linkages which are of the glycosidic and the hemiacetal type. Is this a reducing sugar? Why or why not? Provide the correct numbering system for each ring.

 

q      Since this sugar has no hemiacetal linkages, it cannot equilibrate with the free aldehyde form in neutral or alkaline solution, so it is not a reducing sugar.

 

            5. [1 pts] In general terms, explain how two monosaccharides can be linked together in such a way as to give a non-reducing sugar which does not undergo mutarotation.

q      The hemiacetal carbons of both must be linked. (Or, the hydroxyl group of  the hemiacetal carbon of one monosaccharide is linked to the hemiacetal carbon of the other monosaccharide).

 

            6. [2 pts] Draw the repeat structures of cellulose and starch. Which one is thermodynamically more stable? Why?

 

 

 

IV. Lipids

 

A.Triglycerides

            1. [3 pts] Draw a generalized structure for a triglyceride which might be found in nature as an animal fat or vegetable oil. Indicate as specifically as you can the kinds of carboxylic acids (fatty acids) which are found, in combined form, in triglycerides.

q      The fatty acids are from about C12-C20 and are predominantly the even numbered ones.

 

            2. [2 pts] Provide the full structures and common names of two saturated fatty acids which are found abundantly in triglycerides.

 

            3. [2 pts] Provide the full structures and common names of two unsaturated fatty acids which are found abundantly in triglycerides.

q      Note: they should be cis.

 

            4. [1 pts] Explain, with the assistance of an illustration, why triglycerides which contain mostly saturated fatty acids are typically solids, whereas those which contain mostly unsaturated fatty acids are liquids (oils).

q      The all anti saturated alkane linkages fit together nicely and provide close approach and favorable van der Waals attractive forces.

q      The cis double bonds hinder close approach and diminish the van der Waals interactions (see dotted lines for repulsions which impede close approach of the rest of the chain.

B. Soaps, Detergents and Micelles

            1. [2 pts] Provide a structural illustration of a soap micelle, explaining what factors stabilize the interior of the micelle and what factors stabilize the exterior.

 

q      The van der Waals attractions between the long hydrocarbon chains stabilize the interior.

q      The solvation of the ionic carboxylate groups by the protic ends of water dipoles stabilizes the periphery.

 

            2. [2 pts]  Draw the structure of a known detergent molecule as specifically as you can. Explain what advantage such a detergent would have over soap.

q      Note: the Na ion need not be included here.

q      The alkyl side chain can have variable lengths, but about C8 is optimum.

q      The advantage is that the sulfonate salts of calcium an d magnesium ions are soluble, whereas the carboxylate salts of these ions are insoluble. Therefore, in hard water, soaps precipitate out of solution and are ineffective, whereas detergents of this kind are soluble and effective.

 

C. Terpenes and Steroids

            1. [3 pts]Terpenes are ultimately formed from acetyl coenzme A via isopentenyl pyrophosphate, the structure of which is shown below. Sketch the mechanism of the conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to geranyl pyrophosphate.

 

 

            2. [1 pt] What is the function of the pyrophosphate group in this reaction sequence?

q      As a leaving group.

            3. [1 pt] In the first step of the mechanism, the double bond must migrate. In terms of the nucleophilic substitution reaction which constructs the new carbon-carbon bond, why is it vital that the double bond first migrate to the new position?

q      This makes the pyrophospate leaving group in an allylic position, so that it can undergo facile SN1 or SN2 substitution.

 

            4. [2 pts] In this same key step, isopentenyl pyrophosphate acts as the carbon nucleophile. Give two reasons that it is especially suitable for reaction with the developing carbocation.

q      The terminal carbon of the double bond is an unsubstituted methylene group, which has minimal steric hindrance toward the entering electrophile.

q      The carbocation which will be formatted is tertiary, and thus relatively favorable.

 

            5. [1 pts] Starting with geranyl pyrophosphate, explain in broad general terms (without a detailed mechanistic sketch) how triterpenes are formed.

q      Geranyl pyrophosphate is first converted to farnesyl pyrophosphate by reaction with another molecule of isopentenyl pyrophospate, as above.

q      Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate are coupled to give a triterpene.

 

 

 

V. Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

 

A.   Structures and Acidity/Basicity Considerations

 

1. [1 pt]Write the structure of the most stable form of alanine (The less stable structure is shown below).

2. [1 pts] Draw the Fischer structure of L-alanine.

 

3. [3 pts] In the inventory of amino acids shown below, indicate whether each is acidic, basic, or neutral, and the approximate pKI of each.

 

4. [2 pts] The pKa of the conjugate acid of alanine is about 2. Compare this to the pKa of a typical carboxylic acid and explain the difference.

 

q      The pKI of the alanine conjugate acid is about 2 (between 2-3 is acceptable), whereas that for a typical carboxylic acid is about 5. So the alanine conjugate acid is much more acidic.

q      The basis for this is that the NH­3+ substituent on the alanine conjugate acid is a strong EWG, which highly stabilizes the anion (conjugate base) and thus increases the acidity. (Or, the positive charge of the NH­3+ substituent electrostatically attracts the negative carboxylate anion of the conjugate base and strongly stabilizes it.)

 B. Amide Structure and Bonding

            1. [3 pts] Draw two additional resonance structures for the amide function shown below and summarize as a dotted line/partial charge structure. Explain why amide resonance is stronger than ester resonance.

 

 

q      Note: A partial positive charge may also be placed on the carbonyl carbon.

q      Amide resonance is stronger than ester resonance because the resonance structure with positive charge on nitrogen is a better structure (lower energy) than that with positive charge on oxygen (electronegativities).

 

            2. [1 pts] Based upon your DL/PC structure from the preceding question, explain why amide functions form much stronger hydrogen bonds than do esters or other functionalities.

q      The oxygen is a better H-bond acceptor because of the large partial negative charge.

q      The N-H bond is a better H-bond donor because the nitrogen is positively charged.

 

            3. [1 pt] In a similar way, explain why rotation around the carbonyl-to-nitrogen bond is very difficult.

q      The structure with positive charge on nitrogen also has a double bond between the carbonyl carbon and the nitrogen. Because this structure contributes so much to the resonance hybride, there is a large amount of double bond (pi bond) character to this bond. Consequently, rotation around this partial pi bond is difficult.

 

            4. [2 pts] Draw two different conformations (energy minima) for the amide function shown below. Indicate which is more stable and why.

 

q      The first (trans) is more stable, because the second (cis) has R and R’ groups that exert a steric interaction between them

            5. [2 pts] For a general amide function, indicate via an illustration how many atoms are required to be coplanar. Explain why, being as specific as you can.

q      Six atoms (the starred ones), including the carbonyl carbon and oxygen, the nitrogen and its attached H and carbon and the carbon attached to the carbonyl group.

q      The carbonyl carbon is sp2 hybridized so all three atoms attached to it are coplanar. The amide nitrogen is also sp2 hybridized, so all three atoms attached to it are coplanar. Because of amide resonance the trigonal plane of the N and of the carbonyl carbon are required to be coincident. Therefore all six atoms involved are coplanar.

C.   Peptides: Nomenclature and Synthesis

1.[ 2 pts]  Provide the structures and the names (using three letter designations of the amino acids) of two different dipeptides which could be formed from one molecule of L-glycine and one of L-alanine.

q      Note: the covalent forms are equally acceptable.

 

2. [ 5 pts]  Sketch a selective synthesis of the dipeptide gly.ala, starting with the respective amino acids.

 

q      Abbreviations may be used, e.g., Boc for the tert-butoxycarbonyl group and Bz for the benzyl ester.

q      HF or HBr may also be used to cleave the benzyl ester.

 

3.[ 2 pts]  Write the mechanism for the cleavage of the Boc protecting group to a carbamic acid by trifluoroacetic acid. Why doesn’t this cleave the peptide functionality?

q      Doesn’t cleave a peptide moiety because it is non-aqueous. Amide hydrolysis requires water.

 

D.   Merrifield Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis

1.[ 4 pts]  Starting with the Merrifield resin and the required protected amino acids, sketch a synthesis of the same dipeptide, gly.ala. You may use an appropriate abbreviation for the Merrifield resin.