updated last Fri, Jan 21, 2005

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. Gas Chromatography

a. Why is it necessary to use fairly diluted solutions for the GC run?

b. A mixture of cyclohexane, bromocyclohexane and cyclohexene is dissolved in dichloromethane. A GC spectrum is acquired for this mixture isothermally at 80 oC. Determine the sequence of in which the compounds will elute from the GC column if polyethylene is used as stationary phase.

c. What would change if the spectrum would be obtained starting at 60oC and ending it at 100 oC (within 10 minutes)?

d. A student observes the following areas: cyclohexane: 60 units, bromocyclohexane: 40 units, cyclohexane: 20 units, dichloromethane: 1000 units. Determine the percentage composition of the sample in regard of the products.

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

a. Why do you have to vent the sepratory funnel frequently when a low boiling solvent is used?

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

c. Which layer is removed first from the separatory funnel?

3. Referring to the reaction carried out in the lab, answer the following questions.

a. Which parameters determine the rate of reaction for the reaction?

b. Which function does the TBHS have in the reaction?

c. Why is column chromatography used during the work-up process?

d. Why is it important that the stationary phase is always wet during the chromatography step?