updated last Mon, Jan 26, 2004

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


PART I. DIELS ALDER RXN

This assignment is to be completed in the UCLA Science Learning Center computing labs.

1. You can download the files that you saved during the first computer assignment. Alternatively, the files you need for today's assignment can be found at the following location: (at the desktop level) double click the Network Neighboorhood icon --> Dellsrv2 --> Commonly Shared Folders. Copy the the 130AL folder to your desktop.

2. Optimize the above structural geometry of the below EXO and ENDO cycloadducts (see below instructions). Compare the heat of formation of the endo and exo cycloadducts. Which one is more stable product (thermodynamic product)? How can you rationalize the differences?

3. 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?

4. 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 weekly polar.)

 

exo product

cis-norbornene-5,6-exo-dicarboxylic acid

 

endo product

cis-norbornene-5,6-endo-dicarboxylic acid


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

3. Calculate the LUMO for maleic anhydride and cyclopentadiene (see below instructions). Compare and contrast the LUMO diagram of maleic anhydride given in the course reader from the one generated by PC Spartan Plus.

 

cyclopentadiene

 

maleic anhydride


Instructions:


 

LUMO of maleic anhydride

(from course reader)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw the LUMO generated from

PC Spartan Plus (or print and paste)

4. Calculate the HOMO for cyclopentadiene. Compare and contrast the HOMO diagram of cyclopentadiene given in the course reader from the one generated by PC Spartan Plus.

Instructions:

HOMO of cyclopentadiene

(from course reader)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw the HOMO generated from

PC Spartan Plus (or print and paste)

PART II. Aldol Experiment

1. a. Calculate the dipole moment for benzil, dibenzyl ketone and tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. Draw the structure and the net dipole. Which has the greatest dipole? Which has the smallest dipole? [During lab of week 6 you will TLC these three components. The dipole calculations performed here will help you determine their relative Rf values].

 

dibenzyl ketone

 

benzil

 

tetraphenylcyclopentadienone

2.a. Calculate the dipole moment for Isoborneol, borneol and camphor. Based on these data, can you explain the sequence of peaks in the GC spectrum of the camphor experiment?


Instructions:


PART III.

1. Calculate the dipole moment for dihedral angles: 0 through 180 degrees in 10 degree increments. Plot the dipole moment of benzil vs. the dihedral angle.

Newman Projection of Benzil

Instructions:

Part IV: Phase Transfer Oxidation (due in prelab)

1. What is the function of the sodium hypochlorite in this reaction?

2. You are going to use a separatory funnel for the work-up in this week's experiment. Answer the following questions.

a. Why is it important to 'vent' the separatory funnel frequently? Why do you want to make sure 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 sep funnel?

3. Given the following mixture: butanol, methanol and dichloromethane. The GC spectrum is acquired isothermally at 90 oC. Answer the following questions:

a. Determine the sequence of in which they will come out of a GC column with a polar column.

b. What would change (if anything) if non-polar column is used instead ?

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

d. What would change if spectrum is obtained using a temperature gradient of 10 oC/min (starting from 80 oC ending at 100 oC)?

4. Recrystallization

a. Why is it necessary to bring the solvent to a boil in the process of recrystallization?

b. What can you do if no crystals form from the solution?

c. Why do you perform a recrystallization in general?