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Boron Chem PDF
Boron Chem PDF
Problems
44th International
Chemistry Olympiad
July 26, 2012
United States
of America
Name: Code:
Instructions
Write your name and code on each page.
This examination has 8 problems and Periodic Table on 49 pages.
You have 5 hours to work on the exam problems. Begin only when the START
command is given.
Use only the pen and the calculator provided.
All results must be written in the appropriate boxes. Anything written elsewhere
will not be graded. Use the back side of the exam sheets if you need scratch paper.
Write relevant calculations in the appropriate boxes when necessary. Full marks
will be given for correct answers only when your work is shown.
When you have finished the examination, put your papers into the envelope
provided. Do not seal the envelope.
You must stop working when the STOP command is given.
Do not leave your seat until permitted by the supervisors.
The official English version of this examination is available on request only for
clarification.
1
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The 44 IChO Theoretical Examination. The official English version
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Equation of a circle, x2 + y2 = r2
r2
r
r3/3
r2
Bragg's Law of Diffraction: sin = n/2d
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1 18
1 2
1.00794 4.00260
H He
1 0.28 13 14 15 16 17 1.40
2
3 4 Atomic number 1 Atomic weight 5 6 7 8 9 10
6.941 9.01218 1.00794 10.811 12.011 14.0067 15.9994 18.9984 20.1797
Atomic symbol
Li Be H B C N O F Ne
2 0.28 0.89 0.77 0.70 0.66 0.64 1.50
Covalent radius,
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22.9898 24.3050 26.9815 28.0855 30.9738 32.066 35.4527 39.948
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
3 1.17 1.10 1.04 0.99 1.80
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
39.0983 40.078 44.9559 47.867 50.9415 51.9961 54.9381 55.845 58.9332 58.6934 63.546 65.39 69.723 72.61 74.9216 78.96 79.904 83.80
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
4 1.46 1.33 1.25 1.37 1.24 1.25 1.24 1.28 1.33 1.35 1.22 1.20 1.18 1.14 1.90
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
85.4678 87.62 88.9059 91.224 92.9064 95.94 (97.905) 101.07 102.906 106.42 107.868 112.41 114.818 118.710 121.760 127.60 126.904 131.29
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
5 1.60 1.43 1.37 1.36 1.34 1.34 1.37 1.44 1.49 1.67 1.40 1.45 1.37 1.33 2.10
55 56 57-71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
132.905 137.327 178.49 180.948 183.84 186.207 190.23 192.217 195.08 196.967 200.59 204.383 207.2 208.980 (208.98) (209.99) (222.02)
Cs Ba La-Lu Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
6 1.59 1.43 1.37 1.37 1.35 1.36 1.38 1.44 1.50 1.70 1.76 1.55 1.67 2.20
87 88 89-103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
(223.02) (226.03) (261.11) (262.11) (263.12) (262.12) (265) (266) (271) (272) (285) (284) (289) (288) (292) (294) (294)
Fr Ra Ac-Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Uut Fl Uup Lv Uus UUo
7 2.25
57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
138.906 140.115 140.908 144.24 (144.91) 150.36 151.965 157.25 158.925 162.50 164.930 167.26 168.934 173.04 174.04
La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
1.87 1.83 1.82 1.81 1.83 1.80 2.04 1.79 1.76 1.75 1.74 1.73 1.72 1.94 1.72
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
(227.03) 232.038 231.036 238.029 (237.05) (244.06 (243.06) (247.07) (247.07) (251.08) (252.08) (257.10) (258.10) (259.1) (260.1)
Ac Th Pa U Np ) Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
1.88 1.80 1.56 1.38 1.55 Pu 1.73 1.74 1.72 1.99 2.03
1.59
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i. Using the data below derive the molecular formulae for two other members of this
series of boron hydrides, A and B (A and B).
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ii. William Lipscomb received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1976 for studies on the
structures of boron hydrides illuminating the problems of chemical bonding. Lipscomb
recognized that, in all boron hydrides, each B atom has a normal 2-electron bond to at
least one H atom (BH). However, additional bonds of several types occur, and he
developed a scheme for describing the structure of a borane by giving it a styx number
where:
The styx number for B2H6 is 2002. Propose a structure for tetraborane, B4H10, with a styx
number of 4012.
H H H H H
H H
H B H
B B B B B B
H B H
H H H H H H
H
H
actual structure unknown but acceptable structure
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Structure:
Cl2B B
BCl2
Cl2B
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Compound fH (kJ/mol)
BCl3(g) 403
B2Cl4(g) 489
rHo = +317 kJ
2 points
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c. Chemistry of Diborane
Give the structure for each numbered compound in the scheme below. Each numbered
compound is a boron-containing compound.
NOTES:
a. The boiling point of compound 5 is 55 C.
b. Excess reagents used in all reactions.
c. The freezing point depression for 0.312 g of compound 2 in 25.0 g of benzene is
0.205 C. The freezing point depression constant for benzene is 5.12 C/molal
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B
B(OCH3)3 H3CO OCH3
2 C6H5 O C6H5
B B
O O
B
C6H5 A dimer or tetramer [C6H5BO]x are also acceptable
(x = 2, 4).
3 Cl
B
BCl3 Cl Cl
4 H H
H B N H
5 H
H N H
B B
N N
H B H
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It is also known that the rate of substitution of ligand X by Y depends on the nature of
the ligand trans to X, that is, on ligand T. This is known as the trans effect. When T is
one of the molecules or ions in the following list, the rate of substitution at the trans
position decreases from left to right.
CN > H > NO2, I > Br, Cl > pyridine, NH3, OH, H2O
The preparations of cis- and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 depend on the trans affect. The
preparation of the cis isomer, a cancer chemotherapy agent commonly called cisplatin,
involves the reaction of K 2PtCl4 with ammonia.
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i. Draw all possible stereoisomers for square planar platinum(II) compounds with the
formula Pt(py)(NH3)BrCl (where py = pyridine, C 5H5N).
Cl Br Br Cl py Br
Pt Pt Pt
py NH3 py NH3 Cl NH3
ii. Write reaction schemes including intermediate(s), if any, to show the preparation in
aqueous solution for each of the stereoisomers of [Pt(NH 3)(NO2)Cl2] using, as
reagents, PtCl42-, NH3, and NO2-. The reactions are controlled kinetically by the trans
effect.
cis-isomer:
2
Cl Cl NH3 Cl Cl NO2 Cl NO2
Pt Pt Pt
Cl Cl Cl NH3 Cl NH3
2 points
trans-isomer:
2 2-
Cl Cl Cl Cl NH3 H3N Cl
NO2
Pt Pt Pt
Cl Cl Cl NO2 Cl NO2
2 points
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Direct substitution: The incoming ligand Y attaches to the central metal, forming a
five-coordinate complex, which then rapidly eliminates a ligand, X, to give the product,
ML3Y.
+Y X
ML3X [ML3XY] ML3Y
**
** = rate determining step, Rate constant = kY
+S X +Y
ML3X [ML3XS] [ML3S] ML3Y
** S
** = rate determining step, Rate constant = kS
The values of ks and kY depend on the reactants and solvent involved. One example is
the displacement of the Cl ligand in a square planar platinum(II) complex, ML2X2, by
pyridine (C5H5N). (The ML3X scheme above applies to ML2X2.)
N Cl N N
CH3OH
Pt + Pt + Cl-
N Cl N N Cl
Data for reaction at 25 C in methanol where [pyridine] >> the concentration of the
platinum complex are given in the table below.
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i. Calculate the values of ks and kY. Give the proper unit for each constant.
A grid is given if you wish to use it.
6 points
1 point for each unit
1 point for each number
2 points for method
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6 points
1 point for each unit
1 point for each number
2 points for method
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ii. When [pyridine] = 0.10 mol/L, which of the following is true? (Tick the box next to
the correct answer.)
c. A chemotherapy agent
In an effort to better target cisplatin to cancer cells, Professor Lippards group at MIT
attached a platinum(IV) complex to oligonucleotides bound to gold nanoparticles.
Experiments showed that a gold nanoparticle with a diameter of 13 nm. Attached to this
nanoparticle are 90 oligonucleotide groups, with 98% of them being bound to a Pt(IV)
complex. Suppose that the reaction vessel used for treating cells with the Pt(IV)
nanoparticle reagent had a volume of 1.0 mL and that the solution was 1.0 x 10 6 M in
Pt. Calculate the mass of gold and of platinum used in this experiment. (The density
of gold = 19.3 g/cm3 and the volume of a sphere = (4/3)r 3 = 4.18879 r3.)
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Mass of platinum
a) Amount of Pt used = (1.0 x 106 mol/1000 mL)(1.0 mL) = 1.0 x 109 mol Pt
This is equivalent to 2.0 x 107 g Pt
1 point
Mass of gold
b) (90 groups/nanoparticle)(0.98 Pt bound complexes)
= 88 Pt complexes/nanoparticle or 88 Pt atoms per nanoparticle
c) 1.0 x 109 mol Pt is equivalent to 6.0 x 1014 Pt atoms
d) (6.0 x 1014 Pt atoms)(1 nanoparticle/88 Pt atoms) = 6.8 x 1012 nanoparticles
e) Size of gold nanoparticles:
Radius = 6.5 x 107 cm and volume of gold nanoparticle = 1.2 x 1018 cm3
Mass of gold nanoparticle = 2.3 x 1017 g
Amount of gold in a nanoparticle = 1.2 x 1019 mol
Atoms of gold in a nanoparticle = 7.1 x 104 atoms
f) Mass of gold:
Total number of gold atoms = (6.8 x 1012 particles)(7.1 x 104 atoms/particle)
= 4.8 x 1017 atoms of gold
Equivalent to 1.5 x 104 g gold
4 points
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Thiomolybdate ions are derived from molybdate ions, MoO42, by replacing oxygen atoms
with sulfur atoms. In nature, thiomolybdate ions are found in such places as the deep
waters of the Black Sea, where biological sulfate reduction generates H2S. The molybdate
to thiomolybdate transformation leads to rapid loss of dissolved Mo from seawater to
underlying sediments, depleting the ocean in Mo, a trace element essential for life.
Multiplying the mass action laws for the four given reactions produces:
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Solutions containing MoO2S22, MoOS32 and MoS42 display absorption peaks in the
visible wavelength range at 395 and 468 nm. The other ions, as well as H2S, absorb
negligibly in the visible wavelength range. The molar absorptivities () at these two
wavelengths are given in the following table:
at 468 nm at 395 nm
L mol1 cm1 L mo-1 cm1
By rearrangement,
(MoO2S22 ) = 2.910 6 (MoOS32 )
MoOS32 ______
MoS42 _______
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Equilibrium constants:
1.3105 = (MoOS32)(H2S)/(MoS42)
1.0105 = (MoO2S22)(H2S)/(MoOS32)
1.6105 = (MoO3S2)(H2S)/(MoO2S22)
6.5106 = (MoO42)(H2S)/(MoO3S2)
Six equations in any format will be accepted provided they somehow introduce the four
equilibrium constants and the two correct mass balance constraints.
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ii. Calculate the six concentrations making reasonable approximations, giving your
answers to two significant figures.
It is likely that multiple approaches will be found for solving these equations. Here is one
approach:
The maximum possible H2S concentration is 8.0x107 M, the amount formed if complete
hydrolysis occurs. At this H2S concentration, MoO3S2 is only about 12% of (MoO42)
and the remaining thio anions are much less abundant. Therefore, because the problem
justifies a solution that is precise only to two significant figures, the mass balance
equations can be truncated:
Employing the equilibrium constant for the reaction involving MoO42 and MoO3S2
[ ]
[ ]
Rearrangement and solution by the quadratic formula gives (H2S). Back substitution gives
the remaining concentrations.
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In the 1980s a class of ceramic materials was discovered that exhibits superconductivity
at the unusually high temperature of 90 K. One such material contains yttrium, barium,
copper and oxygen and is called YBCO. It has a nominal composition of YBa2Cu3O7,
but its actual composition is variable according to the formula YBa2Cu3O7- (0 < < 0.5).
a. One unit cell of the idealized crystal structure of YBCO is shown below. Identify
which circles correspond to which elements in the structure.
= Cu
= O
= Ba
= Y
c
3 points each; 12 points total
b
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sin = n/2d
d = (1)(154.2 pm)/2sin(3.725)
d = 1187 pm
Lowest-angle => d = longest axis = c
c = 1187 pm
a = c/3 = 396 pm
8 points for calculating d; 6/8 points if student uses in radians and reports a positive
value (0/8 points if negative distance); 6/8 points if uses 2 instead of .
6 points for correctly assigning a and c.
14 points total
a = 396 pm
c = 1187 pm
c. Estimate the density of this sample of YBCO (with = 0.25) in g cm-3. If you do not
have the values for a and c from part (b), then use a = 500. pm, c = 1500. pm.
4 points for V
4 points for munit cell
2 points for
Density = 5.90 g cm-3
10 points total
d. When YBCO is dissolved in 1.0 M aqueous HCl, bubbles of gas are observed
(identified as O2 by gas chromatography). After boiling for 10 min to expel the dissolved
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gases, the solution reacts with excess KI solution, turning yellow-brown. This solution
can be titrated with thiosulfate solution to a starch endpoint. If YBCO is added directly to
a solution that 1.0 M in both KI and HCl under Ar, the solution turns yellow-brown but no
gas evolution is observed.
i. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction when solid YBa2Cu3O7-
dissolves in aqueous HCl with evolution of O2.
ii. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction when the solution from (i) reacts
with excess KI in acidic solution after the dissolved oxygen is expelled.
1 point species, 1 point coefficients. Iodo complexes of Cu(I) (e.g., CuI2 ) will be given
full marks as products
iii. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction when the solution from (ii) is
titrated with thiosulfate (S2O32-).
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iv. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction when solid YBa2Cu3O7-
dissolves in aqueous HCl containing excess KI in an Ar atmosphere.
e. Two identical samples of YBCO with an unknown value of were prepared. The first
sample was dissolved in 5 mL of 1.0 M aqueous HCl, evolving O2. After boiling to expel
gases, cooling, and addition of 10 mL of 0.7 M KI solution under Ar, titration with
thiosulfate to the starch endpoint required 1.542 10-4 mol thiosulfate. The second sample
of YBCO was added directly to 7 mL of a solution that was 1.0 M in KI and 0.7 M in HCl
under Ar; titration of this solution required 1.696 10-4 mol thiosulfate to reach the
endpoint.
4 points, errors in chemistry displayed in (d) will be carried forward without penalty
nCu = 1.542 104 mol
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= 0.35
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Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is one of the fundamental molecules of life. This question
will consider ways that DNAs molecular structure may be modified, both naturally and in
ways devised by humankind.
a. Consider the pyrimidine bases, cytosine (C) and thymine (T). The N-3 atom (indicated
by *) of one of these bases is a common nucleophilic site in single strand DNA alkylation,
while the other is not.
i. Select (circle) which base, C or T, has the more nucleophilic N-3 atom.
(i)
C T
2 points
ii. Draw two complementary resonance structures of the molecule you select to justify
your answer.
(ii)
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NH2
N
O O
S N NH2
O
N N
HO OH
c. One of the earliest man-made DNA alkylating agents was mustard gas.
S
Cl
Cl
A
2 points
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d. The nitrogen mustards react via an analogous pathway to the sulfur mustard of part c.
The reactivity of the compound may be modified depending on the third substituent on the
nitrogen atom. The reactivity of nitrogen mustards increases with increasing
nucleophilicity of the central nitrogen atom. Select the most and least reactive from each
of following groups of nitrogen mustards.
i.
NO2
NO2
N N N
Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl
I II III
MOST REACTIVE: II
LEAST REACTIVE: I
ii.
OCH3 NO2
N N N
Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl
I II III
MOST REACTIVE: I
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iii.
O CH3 O OCH3
Me
N N N
Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl
I II III
MOST REACTIVE: II
LEAST REACTIVE: I
e. Some classes of natural products act as DNA alkylators, and in this way, they have the
potential to serve as cancer therapies due to their antitumor activity. One such class is the
duocarmycins. Shown below are steps from an asymmetric total synthesis of the natural
product. Draw the structures of isolable compounds J and K.
J K
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f. Related small molecules were synthesized to study the way in which the duocarmycins
work. One such example is the thioester shown below. Draw the structure of reactive
intermediate Z.
Correct Answer
Full marks
4 points
1 point for elimination product
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Varenicline has been developed as an oral treatment for smoking addiction and can be
synthesized by the route shown below. All compounds indicated by a letter (A H) are
uncharged, isolable species.
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Br CN
2 points
b. Suggest a structure for compound B consistent with the following 1H-NMR data:
7.75 (singlet, 1H), 7.74 (doublet, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.50 (doublet, 1H, J = 7.1 Hz), 7.22
(multiplet, 2 nonequivalent H), 4.97 (triplet, 2H, J = 7.8 Hz), 4.85 (triplet, 2H, J = 7.8 Hz)
B
O
O
CN
4 points (2 points for a feasible alternative if not NMR-consistent)
1
H NMR Chemical Shift Ranges*
Aromatics R2C=CH2 Alkyl-H
RCH=O
RHC=CHR RCCH
Br-CH RC(=O)-CH
RCO2-CH NC-CH
O2N-CH R2N-CH
RCONH ROH
RCOOH
PhOH R2NH
12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
d (ppm)
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C D
O
NH
NH
2 points 2 points
F
O2N O
N
O2N CF3
2 points
d. Suggest reagents X and Y to convert compound G into varenicline, and provide the
isolable intermediate H along this route.
X Y
O
H
H
Aqueous NaOH or any other amide
O
hydrolyzing reagents
2 points 2 points
H
N O
N
N CF3
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An artificial enzyme was designed to bind the two substrate molecules shown
below (diene and dienophile) and catalyze a Diels-Alder reaction between them.
a. There are eight potential products from a Diels-Alder reaction involving these two
molecules in the reaction without any enzyme.
diene dienophile
R N O R'
H
O
O
N
Me Me
CO2-
R'
R'
R R
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ii. Draw the structures of any two of the potential products that are enantiomers of each
other, in the boxes that are given below. Use wedges ( ) and dashes ( ) to show the
stereochemistry of each product in your drawings. Use R and R as in part (i).
R' R'
R R
iii. Draw the structures of any two of the potential products that are diastereomers of
each other, in the boxes that are given below. Use wedges ( ) and dashes ( ) to show
the stereochemistry of each product in your drawings. Use R and R as in part (i).
R' R'
R R
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i. Circle the carbon atom in the diene that has increased electron density and therefore can
act as an electron donor during the reaction. Draw one resonance structure of the diene in
the box to support your answer. Indicate all non-zero formal charges on the atoms in the
resonance structure that you draw.
N O N O
H H
O O
CO2- CO2-
5 points (2 points for circled carbon; 2 points for resonance structure; 1 point for charges)
ii. Circle the carbon atom in the dienophile that has decreased electron density and
therefore can act as an electron acceptor during the reaction. Draw one resonance structure
of the dienophile in the box to support your answer. Indicate all non-zero formal charges
on the atoms in the resonance structure that you draw.
O O
N N
Me Me Me Me
5 points (2 points for circled carbon; 2 points for resonance structure; 1 point for charges)
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iii. Based on your assignments in parts (i) and (ii), predict the regiochemistry of the
uncatalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of the diene and dienophile by drawing the major
product. You need not show the stereochemistry of the product in your drawing.
R'
5 points. Stereochemistry not graded. Full marks as long as consistent with b(i) and b(ii)
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c. The figure below shows the Diels-Alder reactants as they are bound before they enter
the transition state for product formation in the active site of the artificial enzyme. The
gray area represents a cross-section through the enzyme. The dienophile is below the
cross-section plane whereas the diene is above the cross-section plane, when the two
molecules are bound in the active site that is shown.
Draw the structure of the product of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the box given
below. Show the stereochemistry of the product in your drawing and use R and R as you
did for question a.
R'
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d. Consider the following statements about enzymes (artificial or natural). For each
statement, indicate whether that statement is True or False (draw a circle around True or
False).
i. Enzymes bind more tightly to the transition state than to the reactants or products of the
reaction.
True False
ii. Enzymes alter the equilibrium constant of the reaction to favor the product.
True False
iii. Enzymatic catalysis always increases the entropy of activation of the reaction
compared to the uncatalyzed reaction.
True False
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e. Modified versions of the artificial enzymes with different catalytic activities were
prepared (enzymes I, II, III, and IV, shown in the figure below). Two amino acid residues
that differ among the different enzymes are shown. Assume that the enzyme functional
groups shown are located in close proximity to the matching fragments of the reagents
when they form the transition state in the enzyme active site.
Of these four enzymes which one would cause the greatest increase in the rate of the
Diels-Alder reaction compared to the uncatalyzed reaction?
Enzyme # II
8 points
Enzyme I Enzyme II
Tyr
P he
Leu
Gln
H N O H N O
O O H
O O
O N NH 2 O N
CO CO
O O
Tyr P he
Leu
Gln
H N O O H N
H
O O O O
O N NH 2 O N
CO CO
O O
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f. The substrate specificity of the artificial enzymes V and VI (see below) was tested by
using the dienophile reactants 1 - 6, shown below.
O O O O O O
N N N N N N
H3C CH3 CH3
1 2 3 4 5 6
Dienophile #1 reacted most rapidly in the reaction catalyzed by artificial enzyme V (see
below). However, artificial enzyme VI catalyzed the reaction most rapidly with a different
dienophile. Of the six dienophiles shown above, which one would react most rapidly in
the Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by enzyme VI?
Dienophile # 5
6 points
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x
d da dp
a. The distance across the benzene ring is d = 240 pm. Use this information to estimate the
distances along the horizontal (x) axis for anthracene and pentacene, da and dp,
respectively.
1 point each
2 points total
b. Assume for simplicity that the electrons of benzene can be modeled as being confined
to a square. Within this model, the conjugated electrons of PAHs may be considered as
free particles in a two dimensional rectangular box in the x-y plane.
For electrons in a two-dimensional box along the x- and y-axes, the quantized
energy states of the electrons are given by
nx 2 n y 2 h 2
E 2 2
L Ly 8me
x
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In this equation, nx and ny are the quantum numbers for the energy state and are
integers between 1 and , h is Plancks constant, me is the mass of the electron and
Lx and Ly are the dimensions of the box.
For this problem, treat the electrons of the PAHs as particles in a two
dimensional box. In this case, the quantum numbers nx and ny are independent.
i. For this problem, assume that the benzene unit has x and y dimensions that are each of
length d. Derive a general formula for the quantized energies of linear PAHs as a
function of quantum numbers nx and ny, the length d, the number of fused rings w, and the
fundamental constants h and me.
n2 n 2 h 2 2 nx2 h 2
E = y2 + 2 x 2 = ny + 2
d w d 8me w 8me d 2
3 points
ii. The energy level diagram below for pentacene shows qualitatively the energies and
quantum numbers nx, ny, for all levels occupied by -electrons and the lowest unoccupied
energy level, with the electrons of opposite spins represented as the arrows pointing up or
down. The levels are labeled with quantum numbers (nx; ny).
Pentacene:
__ (3; 2)
(9; 1)
(2; 2)
(1; 2)
(8; 1)
(7; 1)
(6; 1)
(5; 1)
(4; 1)
(3; 1)
(2; 1)
(1; 1)
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The energy level diagram for anthracene is shown below. Note that some energy
levels may have the same energy. Draw the correct number of up and down arrows to
represent the electrons in this diagram. Also, the blanks in parentheses within this
diagram are the quantum numbers nx, ny, which you need to determine. Fill these blanks
with the pertinent values of nx, ny for each filled and the lowest unfilled energy level(s).
Anthracene:
__ (__; __)
__(_6_; _1_) __ (_3_; _2_)
(_2_; _2_)
(_1_; _2_)
(_5_; _1_)
(_4_; _1_)
(_3_; _1_)
(_2_; _1_)
(_1_; _1_)
2 points for the correct placement of electrons and correct number of electrons
2 points for the correct assignment of quantum numbers
4 points total
Note: Not penalty for labeling additional unoccupied energy levels
iii. Use this model to create an energy level diagram for benzene and fill the pertinent
energy levels with electrons. Include energy levels up to and including the lowest
unoccupied energy level. Label each energy level in your diagrams with the
corresponding nx, ny. Do not assume that the particle-in-a-square-box model used here
gives the same energy levels as other models.
Benzene:
__ (_2_; _2_)
(_2_; _1_) (_1_; _2_)
(_1_; _1_)
2 points for the correct energy diagram
2 points for the correct placement of electrons and correct number of electrons
2 points for the correct assignment of quantum numbers
6 points total
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iv. Often the reactivity of PAHs correlates inversely with the energy gap E between the
highest energy level occupied by -electrons and the lowest unoccupied energy level.
Calculate the energy gapE (in Joules) between the highest occupied and lowest
unoccupied energy levels for benzene, anthracene and pentacene. Use your result from
parts ii) and iii) for anthracene or benzene, respectively, or use (2, 2) for the highest
occupied energy level and (3, 2) for the lowest unoccupied energy level for these two
molecules (these may not be the true values).
h2
E for benzene: E E2;2 E1;2 3 2
3.1 41 01 8J
8med
Alternate solution:
h2
E E3;2 E2;2 5 2
5.23 10 18 J
8m e d
5 h2
E for anthracene: E E 6;1 E 2;2 2
5.811019 J
9 8me d
Alternate solution:
5 h2
E E3
;2 E2;2 5.81 10 19 J
2
9 8m e d
3 h2
E for pentacene: E E3;2 E9;1 2
1.2 61 01 9J
2 58med
Rank benzene (B), anthracene (A), and pentacene (P) in order of increasing
reactivity by placing the corresponding letters from left to right in the box below.
B A P
Least reactive -----------------------------------> Most reactive
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The 44 IChO Theoretical Examination. The official English version
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v. The electronic absorption spectra (molar absorptivity vs. wavelength) for benzene (B),
anthracene (A), and pentacene (P) are shown below. Based on a qualitative understanding
of the particle in the box model, indicate which molecule corresponds to which spectrum
by writing the appropriate letter in the box to its right.
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i. The area of one hexagonal 6-carbon unit is ~52400 pm2. Calculate the number of
electrons in a (25 nm 25 nm) sheet of graphene. For this problem you can ignore edge
electrons (i.e., those outside the full hexagons in the picture).
Nu
Ar egar
2 5 0 0p0m
a p h e n e
2
1 2 0 0u0n i t s
n i t s
Ar euan i t 5 2 4 0p0m2
2points
Since each carbon atom in a graphene sheet is shared by three hexagonal units, each unit
of the area 52400 pm2 contains 6/3=2 carbon atoms contributing 2 -electrons total.
2points
ii. We can think about the electrons in graphene as being free electrons in a 2-
dimensional box.
In systems containing large numbers of electrons, there is no single highest occupied
energy level. Instead, there are many states of nearly the same energy above which the
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remaining are empty. These highest occupied states determine the so-called Fermi level.
The Fermi level in graphene consists of multiple combinations of nx and ny quantum
numbers. Determine the energy of the Fermi level for the 25 nm 25 nm square of
graphene relative to the lowest filled level. The lowest filled level has a non-zero energy;
however, it is negligible, and can be assumed to be zero. To solve this problem it might be
helpful to represent the (nx,ny) quantum states as points on a 2-D grid (as shown below)
and consider how the energy levels are filled with pairs of electrons. For the number of
electrons use your result from part i or use a value of 1000 (this may not be the true
value).
Two electrons fill each state, so the Fermi level has 12000 filled levels. This corresponds
to the number of (nx,ny) pairs that are occupied.
Since Lx=Ly and the lowest energy levels energy is approximated as zero,
h2
2
E Ehighest _ occupied nx ny
2
8me L2
1 point
E8me L2
R 2 nx 2 ny 2 h2
cons tan t
nx
2 points
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2
The area of the populated grid is Areag ri d R .
4
The area of each quantum number pair is 1.
1 point
Total: 8 points
Alternate solution:
R 2 8m eL2E
Nstates 1000
4 4h 2
4h 2 1000
E 1.23 10 19 J
8m eL 2
iii. The conductivity of graphene-like materials correlates inversely with the energy gap
between the lowest unoccupied and highest occupied energy levels. Use your analysis and
understanding of electrons in PAHs and graphene to predict whether the conductivity of
a 25 nm 25 nm square of graphene, at a given temperature, is less than, equal to or
greater than the conductivity of a 1 m 1 m square of graphene (which is the largest
obtained to date). Circle the correct answer:
The energy gaps decrease with the graphene sample size increase and the conductivity
increases as the energy gap decreases.
2 points
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The 44 IChO Theoretical Examination. The official English version