updated last Tue, Oct 19, 2004

Week 4 Problem Set - 30BL (Turn in your computer assignment during week 5)


PART I. (Reduction of Camphor)

This assignment is to be completed in the UCLA Science Learning Center computing labs during the lab period (or afterwards if you don't complete it in the allotted time).

1. Optimize the above structural geometry of borneol, camphor and isoborneol. (see below instructions). Compare the heat of formation of borneol and isoborneol. Which one is more stable product (thermodynamic product)? How can you rationalize the differences?

2. Determine the dipol momentum for borneol, camphor and isoborneol. (see below instructions). In the GC spectrum, camphor has the shortest retention time, then isoborneol and borneol last. Can you rationalize the GC results based on the calculated dipole momenta of these compounds? (Note: The GC column is weakly polar.)

 


Instructions:


See these Helpful Hints for manipulating structures!

Note:

1 au = 1 hartree = 627.5 kcal/mol
1 eV = 23.06 kcal/mol
1 hartree = 27.21 eV
1 Ångstrom = 1.889762 atomic units = 10-8 cm

PART II. (Aldol Condensation)

1. Calculate the dipole moment for dihedral angles: 0 through 180 degrees in 15 degree increments. Plot the dipole moment of benzil vs. the dihedral angle.

Newman Projection of Benzil

Instructions:

Part III: Phase Transfer Oxidation (due in prelab)

1. Given is the following mixture: 1-hexanol, 1-fluorohexane, 1-hexylamine, hexane. A GC spectrum is acquired for this mixture isothermally at 120 oC. Answer the following questions:

a. Determine the sequence of in which the compounds will elute from the GC column if polyglycol is used as stationary phase.

b. What would change if the temperature would be increased by 20 oC?

c. What would change if the spectrum would be obtained starting at 80oC and ending it at 160 oC (within 10 minutes)?

d. A student observes the following areas: 1-hexanol: 45 units, 1-fluorohexane: 30 units, 1-hexylamine: 15 units, hexane: 10 units. Determine the percentage composition of the sample (assuming all compounds have the similar response factors).

3. A separatory funnel is used this week during the work-up. Answer the following questions.

a. Why do you have to remove the stopper on top when you drain the solution out of the separatory funnel?

b. Why do you have to be very careful if you use sodium bicarbonate for extraction? Show pertinent equations.

4. Recrystallization

a. Why is 95% ethanol used for the recrystallization of the crude benzil and not hexane or dichloromethane?

b. You dissolved the crude product, but no crystals are formed afterwards. What can you do?

c. How is the recovery yield optimized in the recrystallization step?