updated last Wed, Jul 7, 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.

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. How many mole percent of catalyst are added in the reaction carried out in the lab?

2. Given is the following mixture: 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol and 2-pentanone. A GC spectrum is acquired for this mixture isothermally at 100 oC. Answer the following questions:

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

b. What would change (if anything) if the column contains polyethylene glycol as stationary phase?

c. What would change if the temperature would be increased by 10 oC?

d. What would change if spectrum would be obtained using a temperature gradient?

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

a. Why is it important to 'vent' the separatory funnel frequently and not to point the stem towards a different person?

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

c. 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?

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

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