19th – 29th July 2018
Bratislava, SLOVAKIA
Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
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PREPARATORY PROBLEMS: THEORETICAL

50th IChO 2018
International Chemistry Olympiad
SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLICBACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGANUPDATED 1st JUNE 2018

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Table of Contents
Preface....................................................................................................................................... 2
Contributing Authors................................................................................................................... 3
Fields of Advanced Difficulty ...................................................................................................... 4
Physical Constants and Equations ............................................................................................. 5
Periodic Table of Elements ......................................................................................................... 7
Visible Light Spectrum ................................................................................................................ 8
Problem 1. Synthesis of hydrogen cyanide ................................................................................. 9
Problem 2. Thermochemistry of rocket fuels............................................................................. 10
Problem 3. HIV protease .......................................................................................................... 12
Problem 4. Enantioselective hydrogenation .............................................................................. 14
Problem 5. Ultrafast reactions .................................................................................................. 15
Problem 6. Kinetic isotope effects ............................................................................................ 17
Problem 7. Designing a photoelectrochemical cell.................................................................... 19
Problem 8. Fuel cells ................................................................................................................ 22
Problem 9. Acid-base equilibria in blood ................................................................................... 24
Problem 10: Ion exchange capacity of a cation exchange resin................................................ 25
Problem 11. Weak and strong cation exchange resin ............................................................... 26
Problem 12: Uranyl extraction .................................................................................................. 27
Problem 13. Determination of active chlorine in commercial products ...................................... 29
Problem 14. Chemical elements in fireworks ............................................................................ 30
Problem 15. Colours of complexes ........................................................................................... 31
Problem 16. Iron chemistry ....................................................................................................... 33
Problem 17. Cyanido- and fluorido-complexes of manganese .................................................. 37
Problem 18. The fox and the stork ............................................................................................ 39
Problem 19. Structures in the solid state .................................................................................. 42
Problem 20. Cyclobutanes ....................................................................................................... 44
Problem 21. Fluorinated radiotracers........................................................................................ 45
Problem 22. Where is lithium? .................................................................................................. 47
Problem 23. Synthesis of eremophilone ................................................................................... 48
Problem 24. Cinnamon all around ............................................................................................ 50
Problem 25. All roads lead to caprolactam ............................................................................... 53
Problem 26. Ring opening polymerization (ROP) ..................................................................... 54
Problem 27. Zoniporide ............................................................................................................ 56
Problem 28. Nucleic acids ........................................................................................................ 60
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Preface
We are happy to introduce the Preparatory Problems for the 50th International Chemistry
Olympiad. These problems are intended to make the preparation for the Olympiad easier for bothstudents and their mentors. The problems we prepared cover a wide range of challenging topics
in modern chemistry. We based the problems on subjects typically covered in high school
chemistry courses as well as six topics of advanced difficulty for the Theoretical part and two
topics of advanced difficulty for the Practical part. These topics are listed under “Topics ofAdvanced Difficulty”, and their applications are shown in the preparatory problems. Based on our
experience, each of these topics can be introduced to well-prepared students in two to threehours.
The solutions will be sent to the head mentor of each country by email by 15th February 2018 andwill be published online on 1st June 2018. We welcome any comments, corrections and questions
about the problems via email at info@50icho.eu.

We wish you a lot of fun solving the problems and we look forward to seeing you in Julyin Bratislava and Prague.

Acknowledgment
We would like to thank all the authors for their hard and dedicated work on both the preparatory
and competition problems. We are also grateful to the reviewers for their valuable comments andsuggestions.

Bratislava and Prague, 30th January 2018

On behalf of the Scientific Committee,
Petra Ménová and Martin Putala

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Contributing Authors
Ctirad Červinka

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Tomáš Fiala

Columbia University, New York, USA

Ivana Gergelitsová

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Petr Holzhauser

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Jakub Hraníček

Charles University, Prague

Martin Hrubý

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, CAS, Prague

Vít Jakeš

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Jan Kotek

Charles University, Prague

Michal H. Kolář

Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany

Matouš Krömer

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, CAS, Prague

Tomáš Kubař

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

Jaroslav Kvíčala

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Alan Liška

J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS, Prague

Tomáš Mahnel

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Radek Matuška

Secondary Technical School of Chemistry, Brno

Petra Ménová

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Lukáš Mikulů

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Petr Motloch

University of Cambridge, UK

Eva Muchová

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Roman Nebel

J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS, Prague

Tomáš Neveselý

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Pavla Perlíková

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, CAS, Prague

Eva Pluhařová

J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS, PragueKateřina Rubešová

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Pavel Řezanka

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Petr Slavíček

University of Chemistry and Technology, PragueOndřej Šimůnek

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Tomáš Tobrman

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Kamil Záruba

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Edited by
Petra Ménová

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

Martin Putala

Comenius University in Bratislava

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Fields of Advanced Difficulty
1. Thermodynamics: relation of equilibrium constants and standard Gibbs energy, van 't Hoff
equation, weak acid-base equilibria
2. Kinetics: integrated rate law for first- and second-order reactions, half-life, Arrhenius equation,
relaxation methods in chemical kinetics, kinetic isotope effects
3. Electrochemistry: electrochemical cells, Nernst-Peterson equation, Latimer, Frost andPourbaix diagrams
4. Inorganic complexes: crystal field theory
5. Stereochemistry: organic stereochemistry, diastereoselective reactions
6. DNA and RNA: nucleobases, hydrogen bonding between bases and its thermodynamics

Notes
We do not expect students to get an advanced training in the following topics met in the
preparatory problems as they WILL NOT appear in the exam set.
 Claisen rearrangement
 Chemistry of N-oxides
 Arrow-pushing mechanisms
 Use of spreadsheet software Solving cubic equations
Polymer chemistry will be covered only from the viewpoint of organic chemistry.
No further biochemistry of nucleic acids than covered in the preparatory problems.
Unless stated otherwise, the number of significant figures reported by the student will not be
evaluated.

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Physical Constants and Equations
Avogadro's constant:

NA = 6.022 × 1023 mol−1

Universal gas constant:

R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1

Speed of light:c = 2.998 × 108 m s−1

Planck's constant:h = 6.626 × 10−34 J s

Faraday constant:

F = 9.6485 × 104 C mol−1Standard pressure:p = 1 bar = 105 Pa

Normal (atmospheric) pressure:patm = 1.01325 × 105 Pa

Zero of the Celsius scale:273.15 K

Mass of electron:me = 9.109 × 10−31 kg

Unified atomic mass unit:u = 1.6605 × 10−27 kgÅngström:

1 Å = 10−10 m

Electronvolt:

1 eV = 1.602 × 10−19 J

Ideal gas equation:

pV = nRTThe first law of thermodynamics:

ΔU = q + W

Power input for electrical device:

P = UI
where U is voltage and I electric current

Enthalpy:

H = U + pV

Gibbs free energy:

G = H – TS
ΔGo = – RT lnK = – zF Eocell
ΔG = ΔGo + RT lnQ

Reaction quotient Q
for a reaction a A + b B ⇌ c C + d D:

Q=

Entropy change:ΔS =Heat change
for temperature-independent cm :Δq = ncm ΔT

Van ’t Hoff equation:

PREPARATORY PROBLEMS: THEORETICAL[C]c [D]d[A]a [B]bqrev
Twhere qrev is heat for the reversible process

where cm is molar heat capacity
d lnK Δr Hm
=
dT
RT2

⇒

K2
Δr Hm 1 1
ln ( ) = –( – )K1
R T2 T1

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[A– ]
[HA]

Henderson–Hasselbalch equation:

pH = pKa + log

Nernst–Peterson equation:

E = Eo –Energy of a photon:

E=

Relation between E in eV and in J:

E⁄eV =

Lambert–Beer law:A = log

Wavenumber:

ν̃ =

ν
1
k
√
=
c 2πc μReduced mass µ for a molecule AX:

μ=

mA mX
mA + mX

Arrhenius equation:

k = A e– RT

RT
lnQ
zF

hc
λ
E⁄J
qe ⁄C

I0
= εlc
I

Ea

Rate laws in integrated form:
Zero order:[A] = [A]0 – kt

First order:ln[A] = ln[A]0 – kt

Second order:

1
1
=
+ kt
[A] [A]0

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Periodic Table of Elements

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Visible Light Spectrum

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Problem 1. Synthesis of hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colourless liquid with a characteristic almond-like odour. It can beproduced when sufficient energy is supplied to numerous systems containing hydrogen, nitrogen,and carbon. Today, only the processes starting from hydrocarbons and ammonia are of economic
importance. Two main HCN production processes are:

Degussa (BMA) process:CH4(g) + NH3(g) → HCN(g) + 3 H2(g)Andrussow process:CH4(g) + NH3(g) + 3/2 O2(g) → HCN(g) + 3 H2O(g)Both processes take place at temperatures above 1 000 °C and at near standard pressure. Bothof them require the use of special platinum catalysts.
1.1

Calculate a change in enthalpy ΔrHm at 1 500 K for the reactions which take place in the
Degussa process (BMA process) and in the Andrussow process, respectively. Use the dataon the enthalpy of formation ΔfHm given in the table below.
CompoundΔfHm(1 500 K), kJ mol−1

CH4(g)−90.3

NH3(g)−56.3

HCN(g)

129.0

H2O(g)−250.1

H2(g)

0

O2(g)

0

1.2

Which process (Degussa BMA or Andrussow) requires the use of an external heater to keep
the reaction system at 1 500 K? Why?

1.3

Calculate the equilibrium constant K of the reaction which takes place in the Degussa
process (BMA process) at the temperatures of 1 500 K and 1 600 K. The standard change
in Gibbs free energy for this reaction at 1 500 K is ΔrGm(1 500 K) = −112.3 kJ mol−1. Assume
that the reaction enthalpy at 1 500 K is constant over a temperature range from 1 500 K to
1 600 K. Is the result in accordance with Le Chatelier’s principle?

1.4

Referring to the Le Chatelier’s principle, estimate whether the equilibrium constant K of thereaction in the Andrussow process increases or decreases when the temperature changes
from 1 500 K to 1 600 K.

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Problem 2. Thermochemistry of rocket fuels
Common rocket engines that power spacecraft used for the transportation of space probes toEarth’s orbit or to leave its gravitational field rely on simple nitrogen-based fuels. Methylhydrazine
and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (also known as unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) are commonly usedin combination with nitrogen dioxide (or fuming nitric acid) for this purpose. Despite the relatively
high toxicity of the given hydrazine derivatives, these compounds possess several beneficial
characteristics which make them most suitable for powering rocket engines in the outer space.
First, all hydrazine derivatives form hypergolic (spontaneously ignitable) mixtures with nitrogendioxide, making it possible for the engine to work without any additional ignition system. Next, themelting temperatures of both methylhydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine are sufficiently low, sothese species remain liquid even at extreme conditions.
To investigate the thermochemical properties of selected derivatives of hydrazine, the following
calorimetric experiments were performed. Samples of liquid hydrazine, methylhydrazine, and1,1-dimethylhydrazine, each weighing 1 gram, were combusted in an adiabatic bomb calorimeter
operating at a constant volume, in a stoichiometric amount of oxygen. The temperature in thecalorimeter was initially 298.15 K, and it increased by 8.25 K, 12.55 K and 14.76 K during theexperiments with the respective individual compounds. By calibration, the heat capacity of thecalorimeter was determined to be 2.04 kJ K−1.
2.1

Assuming that all three hydrazine derivatives react with oxygen to yield molecular nitrogen,water vapour and, if relevant, carbon dioxide at 298.15 K and 101 325 Pa, calculate theenthalpies of combustion for the reactants at the given conditions. Consider all gaseous
species participating in the reaction to behave as ideal gas, and neglect any differences
between the enthalpy and internal energy of all condensed phases.

2.2

Calculate the reaction enthalpies for combustion reactions of the three selected fuels withdinitrogen tetroxide at 298.15 K and 101 325 Pa (again, water vapour is produced).
Consider all of the reacting hydrazine species to be liquid, mimicking the chemical
processes occurring in rocket engines. Dinitrogen tetroxide enters the reaction in gaseousstate. Use the standard enthalpies of formation of gaseous water (−241.83 kJ mol−1), carbon
dioxide (−393.52 kJ mol−1) and dinitrogen tetroxide (9.08 kJ mol−1).

Extensive calorimetric experiments were performed for the relevant low-temperature phases of
all chemical compounds present in the given systems at temperatures ranging from the vicinity ofabsolute zero up to ambient temperature. From these measurements, the absolute values of thestandard molar entropies (at 298.15 K and 101 325 Pa) were evaluated according to the third lawof thermodynamics:

2.3

CompoundS°, J K−1 mol−1

CompoundS°, J K−1 mol−1

N2H4 (l)121.92N2 (g)

191.61

CH3N2H3 (l)166.35

CO2 (g)213.79(CH3)2N2H2 (l)199.60H2O (l)69.95

N2O4 (g)209.46

Calculate standard reaction Gibbs energies for the three combustion reactions withdinitrogen tetroxide, estimate the corresponding equilibrium constants and predict
qualitatively the extent of reactions occurring at 101 325 Pa and 298.15 K. Assume that the

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reactions start from stoichiometric amounts of reactants, and water is produced in its
standard state – liquid. Use the given standard entropy values and the molar vaporization
enthalpy of water at 298.15 K, which amounts to 40.65 kJ mol−1.
2.4

In which direction do the total pressure and temperature affect the given chemical
equilibria? In other words, does an increase in pressure or in temperature lead to anincrease or a decrease in the extent of the reaction?

2.5

Within the adiabatic approximation, calculate the flame temperature for a 1:1:1 molar
mixture of the three fuels reacting with 3.75 moles of N2O4 for the case when the reactants
enter a combustion chamber at 298.15 K in the liquid state. The flame temperature can becalculated, assuming that the combustion reaction formally occurs at 298.15 K and all of
the heat released by the reaction (enthalpy) is then consumed to warm up the gaseous
products (including water vapour) to the resulting temperature of the flame. Approximate
the isobaric heat capacities of the relevant compounds with the following constants.
CompoundCp, J K−1 mol−1N2 (g)

35.26

CO2 (g)59.83

H2O (g)

52.29

2.6

Compare the calculated flame temperature obtained above for the mixture of fuels, using
an analogous value corresponding to burning pure liquid 1,1-dimethylhydrazine inan oxygen atmosphere.

2.7

The critical temperature of oxygen is 154.6 K and the melting temperature of
1,1-dimethylhydrazine is 216.0 K. Is there a temperature range in which the sameliquid–fuel engine could be used for this alternative fuel setup?

2.8

Explain the extraordinarily high thermodynamic efficiency of rocket engines when comparedto the other representatives of thermal engines (e.g. steam or Diesel engine) and support
your answer with a quantitative argument.

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Problem 3. HIV protease
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a condition in which the afflicted patient’s immune system fails
progressively, allowing otherwise benign infections to be life-threatening. The life cycle of HIV
relies on the enzyme HIV-1 protease. As this enzyme plays a crucial role in the replication of thevirus, HIV-1 protease has been a prominent target for therapy, with drugs being designed to inhibit
the action of the enzyme. An HIV-1 protease inhibitor binds to the active site of the enzyme morestrongly than the substrate that it mimics, thus disabling the enzyme. Consequently, without active
HIV-1 protease present, viral particles do not mature into infectious virions.
Several inhibitors of HIV-1 protease have been licensed as drugs for HIV therapy. A detailed
thermodynamic and kinetic study of seven then-available inhibitors of HIV-1 protease was
performed in 2003 in Uppsala (interested readers are referred to the original publication in J. Mol.
Recognit. DOI: 10.1002/jmr.655). The molecular structures of six of them are shown below.

The affinity of the selected compounds to the HIV-1 protease was measured in terms ofequilibrium constants for the dissociation of the protease–inhibitor complex, in a range oftemperatures from 5 °C to 35 °C under otherwise identical conditions including pH. The obtained
data are presented below; dissociation constants KD are in units of nM, i.e. 10−9 mol dm−3.

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Temperature
Amprenavir°CIndinavir

Lopinavir

Nelfinavir

Ritonavir

Saquinavir

5

1.39

3.99

0.145

6.83

2.57

0.391

15

1.18

2.28

0.113

5.99

1.24

0.320

25

0.725

1.68

0.101

3.67

0.831

0.297

35

0.759

1.60

0.0842

2.83

0.720

0.245

3.1

Which of the compounds binds most strongly to the protein at 35 °C?

3.2

Calculate the standard Gibbs energy of binding (i.e. association) for each compound at eachtemperature. It may be of advantage to use a spreadsheet application.

3.3

Use the temperature-dependent data to calculate the standard enthalpy and entropyof binding of each of the compounds. Consider the enthalpies and entropies to be
independent of temperature in the interval 5–35 °C.

The dissociation rate constants kD (in the units of 10−3 s−1) of the protease–inhibitor complexes foreach inhibitor at two temperatures are presented below:
Temperature
Amprenavir°CIndinavir

Lopinavir

Nelfinavir

Ritonavir

Saquinavir

5

1.85

1.88

0.506

0.912

1.93

0.146

25

4.76

3.44

0.654

2.17

2.59

0.425

3.4

Identify the inhibitor with the slowest dissociation from the protease at 25 °C.

3.5Calculate the rate constants of association (i.e. binding) of the protein–inhibitor complexes,
kA, at 25 °C for all inhibitors. Which of the inhibitors exhibits the fastest association with theprotease?

3.6

Using the Arrhenius equation, calculate the activation free energy of dissociation ΔG‡(or Ea) of Lopinavir as well as that of the slowest dissociating inhibitor from question 3.4,
and the compound with the largest association rate constant (which were obtained inquestion 3.5). Assume that the activation free energy is constant in the respective
temperature range.

3.7

Is the inhibitor with the largest activation energy for dissociation the same compound as thestrongest binder which was identified in question 3.1? We may extrapolate this finding: Whatrelationship is there between the strength of binding expressed by the dissociation constantand the rate of dissociation expressed by the activation energy of dissociation?

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Problem 4. Enantioselective hydrogenation
The hydrogenation of acetophenone with chiral catalyst (R)-CAT (2 mol%) at −40 °C for 8 hours
gives a crystalline solid, (R)-1-phenylethan-1-ol, in 70% yield and 90% enantiomeric excess (ee).
The specific rotation [α]D20 (c 1.00, EtOH) of the product was determined to be +45°.
4.1

Draw the structure of the product.

4.2

The rate constant of the reaction leading to the (R)-product is kR = 2.5 × 10−5 s−1 at −40 °C.
What is the rate constant kS of the reaction that leads to the the (S)-product at the same
temperature?

4.3

The activation energy for the reaction leading to the (S)-product is Ea(S) = 80 kJ mol−1.
Provided that the pre-exponential factor A is the same for both reactions, what is theactivation energy Ea(R) for the reaction leading to the (R)-product?

4.4

What temperature is needed to obtain 99% ee? What is a potential drawback?

4.5

Determine the specific rotation [α]D20 (c 1.00, EtOH) of the product if (S)-CAT (4 mol%), an
optical antipode to the catalyst (R)-CAT, is used at 0 °C and the same machine and cuvette
are used for the measurement.

4.6

How would you increase the optical purity of the final product after the reaction?

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Problem 5. Ultrafast reactions
The rate of true neutralization reactions has proved to be immeasurably fast.
Eucken’s Lehrbuch der Chemischen Physik, 1949

The main problem with studying ultrafast reactions is mixing the reactants. A smart way tocircumvent this problem is the so-called relaxation technique.
Neutralization is a good example of an ultrafast reaction:

Here, k1 and k2 are the rate constants for the forward and backward reaction, respectively. The
mean enthalpy for this reaction is −49.65 kJ mol−1 in the temperature range 298–373 K. The
density of water is 1.000 g cm−3.
5.1

[H O]

2
Water has pH = 7.00 at 298 K. Calculate the apparent equilibrium constant 𝐾 = [H+ ][OH− ] ofthe neutralization reaction shown above. Calculate also the entropy change for the reaction.
5.2

Estimate the pH of boiling water (T = 373 K).

Heavy water undergoes an analogous neutralization reaction, yet it is less dissociated than lightwater at the given temperature: Kw(D2O) = 1.35 × 10−15 at 298 K.

5.3

What is pD of heavy water at 298 K?

5.4

Write the rate law for the change of the concentration of D2O in terms of the concentrationsof D+, OD− and D2O.

The composition of the equilibrium system depends on temperature. If we apply an external
stimulus, for example a very fast heat pulse on the system, we disturb the equilibrium and observea subsequent relaxation to the equilibrium composition. We can describe the relaxation witha new quantity x, a deviation from the equilibrium concentrations:𝑥 = [D2 O]eq − [D2 O] = [OD− ] − [OD− ]eq = [D+ ] − [D+ ]eq
5.5d𝑥Express the time change d𝑡 in terms of x. Give both the exact equation and the equationin which you neglect the small terms of x2.

Solving the equation derived in 5.5, we get:𝑥 = 𝑥(0) × exp(−𝑡 × (𝑘1 [D+ ]eq + 𝑘1 [OD− ]eq + 𝑘2 ))where 𝑥(0) is the deviation from equilibrium at the moment of perturbation.
5.6

For heavy water at 298 K, the relaxation time 𝜏 (time at which the deviation from equilibrium
drops to1of the initial value) was measured to be 162 µs. Calculate the rate constant for𝑒

the forward and backward reaction. The density of heavy water is ρ = 1.107 g cm−3 andmolar mass is Mr = 20.03.

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Ultrafast reactions can also be triggered by a pH jump. Using an ultrafast laser pulse, we can
induce a pH jump in a system with so-called photoacids. These compounds have dramaticallydifferent acid-base properties in the ground and excited electronic states. For example, the pKa
of 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonate is 9.12 in the ground state and 1.66 in the excited state.

5.7

1 cm3 of 5.0 × 10−3 mol dm−3 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonate solution was irradiated bylight with the wavelength of 297 nm. The total absorbed energy was 2.228 × 10−3 J.
Calculate the pH before and after irradiation. Neglect the autoprotolysis of water in bothcases.
Note that the standard state for a solution is defined as c0 = 1 mol dm−3 and assume thatthe activity coefficient is γi = 1 for all species. It may be of advantage to use an online cubic
equation solver.

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Problem 6. Kinetic isotope effects
Various isotopes of a given atom obey the same chemical principles, but their different masses
cause different behaviour in a dynamic sense. The kinetic isotope effect refers to a phenomenon
wherein isotopically substituted molecules react at different rates. It was postulated in 1933 by
Eyring and Polanyi and since then kinetic isotope effects have provided detailed information aboutmechanisms of many organic and biochemical reactions.
Vibrational modes are quantized and we can use the harmonic oscillator approximation for thedescription of the stretching modes. The energy level Ev can be calculated as:
1
𝐸v = (v + ) h𝜈 ,2where v = 0, 1, 2, ... is the vibrational quantum number and 𝜈 the frequency which depends onthe force constant k and the reduced mass µ:
𝜈=

1 𝑘
√ .
2𝜋 𝜇

Note for the following calculations: unless stated otherwise, round the isotopic mass in amu to thenearest integer.
6.1

Let us start with a simple diatomic molecule 1HF. Calculate its harmonic vibrationalwavenumber in cm–1 and energies of the first two vibrational levels in J. The value of theharmonic force constant is k = 968 kg s−2.

6.2

Isotopic substitution does not change the potential energy surface of a molecule. Therefore,k remains unaffected. Given the vibrational wavenumbers of 1HAX (2 439.0 cm−1) and
2 A+2
D X (1 734.8 cm−1), determine the unknown element X.

6.3

Zero-point vibrational energy is the key contributor to the kinetic isotope effect. If we assume
that the bond is fully broken at the transition state and only the ground vibrational state ispopulated, the difference in activation energies has the same absolute value as thedifference in zero-point vibrational energies. The wave numbers of the C−H and C−D
stretches are 2 900 cm−1 and 2 100 cm−1, respectively. Calculate the ratio of the rate
constants k(C−H)/k(C−D) for the cleavage of the C−H/D bond at 300 K, taking into accountonly the difference in zero-point vibrational energies.

6.4

Kinetic isotope effects provide insight into the rate-determining step of a reaction
mechanism. The ratio of kH/kD for the formation of propene from 1-bromopropane and1-bromo-2,2-dideuteriopropane in basic solution is 6.5. Does the reaction proceed by E1 or
E2 mechanism? E1 takes place in two steps: formation of the carbocation intermediate
followed by loss of H+. E2 occurs in a single step involving removal of the halide at the sametime as the neighbouring hydrogen.

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6.5

Let us consider the formation of the corresponding alkene from 2-bromo-3,3-dideuterio-2-methylbutane and its light-hydrogen analogue upon heating in ethanol. How
significant would the kinetic isotope effect be in this case?

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Problem 7. Designing a photoelectrochemical cell
One of the most challenging issues for future technologies is to maximize the energy gain fromrenewable sources: solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass. Although they represent
clean and highly abundant sources of energy with a tremendous physical potential, they areintermittent, which applies mainly to solar energy. This means that they are not available when
and where needed, or at least not all the time: the sun sets, wind does not blow, etc. One of thepossible solutions to this problem is to store energy in a medium that is long-lasting anddispatchable. Chemical bonds represent such a medium. In general, this is the concept of solar
fuels.
Such a system is already readily available in nature: photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight to makefuel (carbohydrates) out of water and carbon dioxide. To be able to do that, however, plants needfertile soil, water and favourable climate. On the other hand, artificial photosynthetic systems are
not limited by such constraints and are capable of producing a fuel with a higher energy density,
like hydrogen. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a powerful, yet complex process. By
completing the upcoming tasks, you will get a basic insight into photoelectrochemistry.
7.1

Which of the following half-reactions have reduction potentials dependent on pH?

a) Br2 + 2e− → 2Br −+−b) NO−
3 + 3H + 2e → HNO2 + H2 O+−−c) ClO−
3 + 6H + 6e → Cl + 3H2 O+−
3+d) Cr2 O2−+ 7H2 O
7 + 14H + 6e → 2Cr2−−e) 2CO2 + 2e → (COO)2+−
f) 2IO−
3 + 12H + 10e → I2 + 6H2 O
2−−g) S2 O8 + 2e → 2SO2−4h) TiO2+ + 2H+ + e− → Ti3+ + H2 O
7.2

Using the Nernst-Peterson equation and considering [Aox] = [Ared], derive a formula for the
dependence of the reduction potential of the following reaction on pH:
𝑛𝐀ox + 𝑧e− + 𝑛H+ → 𝐀red + H2 O
2What is the nature of this dependence (logarithmic, exponential, quadratic, etc.)?
7.3

Let us consider two possible reactions occurring in an electrolyte:

𝐁ox + 3e− → 𝐁red𝐂ox + 2e− → 𝐂red

𝐸𝐁° = +0.536 V
𝐸𝐂° = +0.824 Va)Which of the two possible reactions will occur under the conditions of p = 1 atm,
T = 298.15 K? Will substance B oxidize C or will substance C oxidize B? Writea balanced chemical equation for the reaction between substances B and C.

b)Determine the standard potential for such a reaction.

c)

Calculate the equilibrium constant for this reaction.

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7.4

Now, let us consider the electrochemical system of two reactions that can occur in a cooled
experimental cell, where one of them is pH-dependent and the other is not:𝐃ox + e− → 𝐃red
𝐄ox + e− + H+ → 𝐄red

7.5

𝐸𝐃 = +0.55 V
𝐸𝐄 = +0.95 Va)Calculate the change in potential (in millivolts) as a function of pH for the pH-dependent
reaction. The given potentials correspond to pH = 0 and T = 262 K. The only parameterthat can be changed during the experiment is the pH value of electrolyte.

b)Draw a straight line plot of the dependence of the reduction potentials (for both D andE) on pH in the range from 0 to 13.

c)Find the value of pH at which the equilibrium constant for the oxidation of substance D
is K = 2.56 × 105.

d)Show on the drawn plot the region of pH where D will oxidize E.

Calculate the time needed to electrolytically cover a 5 × 10 × 0.5 mm metallic plate fully
immersed into 10 cm3 of the solution of a gold precursor with c(Au3+) = 5 mmol dm−3 with
5 mg of a gold protective film. Consider that only gold (MAu = 197 g mol−1) is being depositedon the surface of the metallic plate, no side reactions occur, the surface area of the contacts
with the electrode is negligible, and there is a constant current of 25 mA during the process.

Once the substrate for testing electrode is covered with a highly conducting and relatively
non-reacting coating (e.g. gold), a photocatalyst can be added. Thanks to their chemical stability
in aqueous environment, metal oxide-based semiconductors are suitable materials forphoto-electrochemical applications. Recently, titanium dioxide has emerged as an excellent
photocatalyst. It is an n-type semiconductor and can be used as a material for photoanodes. The
whole complex mechanism of photoreactions occurring on irradiated n-type semiconductors canbe simplified as follows. A photon with sufficient energy (wavelength) strikes the surface ofa semiconductor and an electron from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is excited
to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), leaving a positively charged hole (h+) behind.
When applying an external electric field, the excited electrons are driven through the system tothe counter-electrode where they participate in reduction reactions while photogenerated holes
participate in oxidation reactions. The observed flow of electrons is called net photocurrent.
Let us call Eg the difference between the energy levels of HOMO and LUMO. It denotes theminimum excitation energy (maximum wavelength) of irradiation. To choose the optimal
photocatalyst for a redox reaction, two main presumptions exist: 1) the Eg of a semiconductor has
to be “accurately” wider than the potential of a redox reaction; 2) the energy level of HOMO has
to be below the energy level of the oxidation half-reaction while the energy level of LUMO has tobe above the energy level of the reduction half-reaction.
7.6

In the following picture you can see a schematic view of an energy diagram comparing fourmaterials (F–I) by positions of their HOMOs and LUMOs towards the investigated redox
reaction.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 2018a)Which materials could be used as photocatalysts for the reaction outlined in the
diagram?

b)

Calculate the maximum wavelengths (in nm) of irradiation sources needed to excite
your chosen materials. Based on your results, decide whether you can or cannot use
UV and/or VIS light for the irradiation.

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Problem 8. Fuel cells
Let us consider a classical hydrogen cell with porous electrodes. Such electrodes are permeable
to gases and the cathode also to liquid water. The cathode is fed with oxygen and the anode withhydrogen. The produced water is led out from the cathode compartment. The space between theelectrodes is separated by a membrane which is permeable only to H+ ions, so that they canconduct the electric current. Such a fuel cell is quite efficient as there is no other way for hydrogenand oxygen to react except for electron-transfer via electrodes and H+ exchange through themembrane. Assume all gases behave as ideal. In this task, assume standard temperature 298 K
and standard pressure 1 bar.
8.1

Determine the standard electromotive force (EMF) of the above described fuel cell working at
298 K with 1 bar hydrogen and 1 bar oxygen. Assume that water is produced in the liquid state.

8.2

Determine the standard EMF of the above described fuel cell working at 298 K with 1 barhydrogen and 1 bar oxygen. Assume that water is produced in the gas state.

8.3

Calculate the ideal thermodynamic efficiency (thermodynamic or maximum or ideal
efficiency is the ratio between the maximum extractible work and the heating value) of thefuel cells described in previous questions at (a) the standard temperature of 298 K and (b)373 K. Neglect the enthalpy and entropy temperature dependence in all the calculations.

It is possible to construct a fuel cell very similar to the one described above, but working withbutane and oxygen.
8.4

Write the balanced chemical equations for the cathode and anode half-reaction.

8.5

Calculate the EMF of the butane–oxygen fuel cell. Assume that butane is fed to theelectrodes at the standard temperature and 1 bar and that it reacts with oxygen at 1 bar.
Assume that water is produced in the liquid state.

8.6

Calculate the ideal thermodynamic efficiency of the butane fuel cell.

A modified construction of the butane fuel cell uses an oxide-conducting electrolyte, in which thefollowing electrode half-reactions occur:O2 + 4 e− → 2 O2−
4 CO2 + 5 H2O + 26 e− → C4H10 + 13 O2−
8.7

Determine the standard EMF of this modified butane fuel cell with an oxide-conducting
electrolyte.

Another fuel cell works with the formal combustion of methanol. The EMF of such a cell at thestandard temperature of 298 K is 1.21 V, and at 373 K it drops by 10 mV.
8.8

Write balanced chemical equations for the cathode and anode half-reaction. Write also theoverall reaction that takes place in the methanol fuel cell.

8.9

Write down the Nernst equation for the EMF of this cell. Choose the appropriate standard
states for the reactants and products.

8.10 Calculate the standard reaction enthalpy and entropy of the reaction taking place in themethanol fuel cell related to lowest integer coefficients in the chemical reaction involved in
the fuel cell.
Hint: Use the van ’t Hoff equation.
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Useful data:
ΔfH°(H2O(l)) = −286 kJ mol−1

S°(H2(g)) = 131 J K−1 mol−1

ΔfH°(H2O(g)) = −242 kJ mol−1

S°(O2(g)) = 205 J K−1 mol−1

ΔfH°(CO2(g)) = −393 kJ mol−1

S°(C(s)) = 6 J K−1 mol−1

ΔfH°(C4H10(g)) = −126 kJ mol−1

S°(CO2(g)) = 214 J K−1 mol−1

S°(H2O(l)) = 70 J K−1 mol−1

ΔfG°(C4H10(g)) = −17 kJ mol−1

S°(H2O(g)) = 189 J K−1 mol−1

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Problem 9. Acid-base equilibria in blood
Acid-base homeostasis is one of the most strictly regulated systems in living organisms. Bloodbuffers are responsible for the short-term stability of pH. The most important one is thebicarbonate buffer, the components of which are further regulated by the lungs and kidneys.
9.1

The daily production of acids in our body is about 60 mmol released into 6 dm3 of blood.
For simplification, consider the blood bicarbonate buffer as a closed system initiallycontaining only bicarbonate buffer with pH = 7.4. The partial pressure of CO2 isp(CO2) = 5.3 kPa. Calculate the pH at 37 °C, provided that the above-mentioned acidic
burden is buffered by the bicarbonate buffer at physiological conditions.

9.2

However, blood is best considered to be an open system, taking into account that the partial
CO2 pressure is maintained at a constant level by respiration. Calculate the final pH for thebicarbonate buffer under the same conditions as described in task 9.1, assuming thatp(CO2) does not change upon the addition of acids. Does the pH value fall into thephysiologic range? Explain.

9.3

During cardiac surgery, patients are cooled down to hypothermia in order to prevent brain
damage and to slow down their metabolism. Calculate pH at 20 °C (under the conditions ofhypothermia), considering that p(CO2) and the concentration of bicarbonate remainunchanged.

The importance of pH regulation in a narrow window can be illustrated by its influence on otherphysiological networks, for example, oxygen transport mediated by red blood cells containing
haemoglobin. Haemoglobin has lower affinity to oxygen in tissues with a lower value of pH.
9.4

During physical activity, pH in muscles decreases due to anaerobic metabolism. In lungs,
on the other hand, CO2 is removed from the bloodstream. How do these processes
influence the haemoglobin-mediated oxygen transport?

Data for calculations:Dissociation constants of dissolved carbon dioxide: pKa (37 °C) = 6.1, pKa (25 °C) = 6.35
Enthalpy of vaporization: ΔHvap(CO2, blood) = 19.95 kJ mol−1
Henry’s solubility of CO2 in blood at 37 °C: Hcp(CO2, 37 °C, blood) = 2.3 × 10−4 mol m−3 Pa−1
Consider ideal behaviour and the concentration of carbonic acid [H2CO3] = 0.

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Problem 10: Ion exchange capacity of a cation exchange resin
Ion exchange resins are porous materials, typically used in the form of small beads, with surfacefunctional groups capable of ion exchange. As the binding of ions from a solution occurs, otherions are released from the resin. For example, the binding of cations from a sample of sea wateris accompanied by the release of the corresponding amount of hydrogen ions originally bound to
the sulfonyl acid groups on the surface of a cation exchange resin.
Let us have a look at the following cation exchange resin – catex A. Since n is very large, theterminal hydrogen atoms can be neglected in the following calculations.

Structure of catex A.
10.1 Calculate the mass percentage of sulfur and carbon.
10.2 Calculate the theoretical ion exchange capacities Qm given separately by SO3H groups(a strong catex) and COOH groups (a weak catex) in mmol g−1 of the dry catex.
10.3 Calculate the total theoretical ion exchange capacity, Qm,total, in mmol g−1.
Frequently, ion-exchange resins become swollen when hydrated, i.e. the volume of the beads
changes significantly due to the hydration of highly polar ion-exchange functional groups.
10.4 Calculate the total ion exchange capacity, QV,total, in mmol cm−3 of a swollen resin. The ratioof void volume to the total volume is ε = 0.48, the density of the swollen resin isρ = 1.28 g cm−3 and the mass ratio of water bound to a resin is w = 0.45.

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Problem 11. Weak and strong cation exchange resin
The total cation exchange capacity of catex B has been determined experimentally by thefollowing procedure. The volume of 4 cm 3 of swollen catex was rinsed with the excess of sodium
chloride solution to get a resin with sodium cations at all cation exchange sites. Afterwards, allunbound sodium cations were removed by rinsing with water. Next, the column was rinsed witha solution of acetic acid and all the effluent was collected in a 1 000 cm 3 volumetric flask which
was then filled with water to the mark (solution A). During this procedure, H + ions were boundto all weak exchange sites and to some strong exchange sites. Subsequently, the column wasrinsed with water to remove the excess acetic acid. In the next step, the column was rinsed witha neutral solution of MgSO 4 and all the effluent was collected in a 500 cm3 volumetric flask
which was then filled with water to the mark (solution B). In this case, Mg 2+ was bound to allstrong exchange sites.

Structure of catex B (R = H, COOH, SO3H).
The amount of sodium ions in 100 cm3 of solution A was determined by direct potentiometry witha sodium ion-selective electrode (ISE); the measured potential was E1 = −0.2313 V, whereas thecorresponding potentials of the electrode in the solutions of c(Na+) = 10.0 mmol dm−3 and c(Na+)= 0.100 mmol dm−3 were E2 = −0.2283 V and E3 = −0.3466 V, respectively.
The amount of sodium ions in 100 cm3 of solution B was determined by the same procedure as
described above. In this case, the measured potential of the electrode in solution B was
E4 = −0.2534 V. The concentration of hydrogen ions in 100 cm3 of solution B was determined byalkalimetry. The volume of sodium hydroxide of c = 0.1000 mol dm−3 at the equivalence point was
12.50 cm3.
All potentials were measured at a temperature of 298 K.
Hint: For the determination of sodium ion concentration use the equation E = k + S log10[Na+],
where E is the potential of ISE and k and S are constants.
11.1 Calculate the ion exchange capacities of the catex, QV, which correspond to sulfonyl andcarboxyl ion exchange groups, respectively. Provide the results in mmol cm−3.
11.2 Calculate total ion exchange capacity, QV,total, in mmol cm−3.

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Problem 12: Uranyl extraction
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate (di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid, DEHPA) is used in theextraction of uranyl ions from an aqueous solution to an organic solvent. This water-to-kerosene
extraction is known as the “Dapex process”.
DEHPA (HA)

Is a weak acid that is partially dissociated in water, with a dissociation constant−

HA ⇌ A + H
Can be extracted to kerosene with a distribution constant[HA]org

𝐾D,HA = [HA][A− ]aq × [H + ]aq
𝐾a,HA =
= 3.16 × 10−4
[HA]aq+aq= 1.89 × 102

Forms a hydrogen-bonded dimer in non-polar organic solvents, with a dimerization
constant

2HA ⇌ (HA)2
𝐾p,HA =[(HA)2 ]org
= 2.14 × 104[HA]2org

When dissociated in an aqueous solution, it forms a neutral compound with the uranyl ion
in a ratio of 2:1 (Note: In real systems, the structure of the neutral compound can vary).

2,UO2 A2 =2A− + UO2+
2 ⇌ UO2 A2[UO2 A2 ]aq= 4.31 × 1011
2+−
2
[A ]aq × [UO2 ]aq

This neutral compound can be extracted to kerosene with a distribution constant[UO2 A2 ]org

𝐾D,UO2A2 = [UO A ]2 2 aq= 1.69 × 102

Assume that:

The concentration of DEHPA before the extraction: cHA,org,0 = 0.500 mol dm−3 andcHA,aq,0 = 0.000 mol dm−3.



𝑐UO2+
≪ 𝑐HA , therefore it is possible to omit the concentration of UO2A2 in the mass2
balance of HA in both the aqueous and organic phase.

The volume ratio is Vorg/Vaq = 1.00.

Uranyl ions also form hydroxo complexes
–
2–𝑖
UO2+
where 𝑖 = 1– 4
2 + 𝑖OH ⇌ [UO2 (OH)𝑖 ][UO2 (OH)2−𝑖𝑖 ]aq

𝑖,[UO2(OH) ] = [UO2+]𝑖2

aq ×[OH− ]𝑖aq

Note: For clarity square brackets as asymbol for a complex were omitted in the
numerator.

with decimal logarithms of the overall complexation constants log β1 = 10.5, log β2 = 21.2,log β3 = 28.1, log β4 = 31.5.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201812.1 Considering that the pH of the aqueous phase after reaching equilibrium equals to 1.7,
calculate the yield of uranyl ions extraction.
Hint: First, calculate the concentration of DEHPA in the organic phase after reaching theequilibrium with the aqueous phase, i.e. calculate [HA]org. To do this, use the mass balanceof HA. Consider the different forms of DEHPA in both the organic and aqueous solution.
12.2 Considering that the pH of the aqueous phase after reaching equilibrium equals to 10.3,
calculate the yield of uranyl ions extraction.
Hint: Use the same procedure as in task 12.1.
In both cases, consider only the equilibria that have been mentioned so far.

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Problem 13. Determination of active chlorine in commercial
products
Traditional Czech and Slovak bleaching and disinfecting products include a commerciallyavailable solution called “SAVO”. The strength of products like SAVO is commonly expressed as
the content of active (or free) chlorine. The active chlorine value determination is usually carriedout by adding an excess of potassium iodide to a sample and titrating the equivalent of released
iodine with the standard sodium thiosulfate solution.
13.1 Consider a reaction (i) between chlorine and water giving products A and B and a reaction(ii) between sodium hypochlorite and water giving products A and C. Write the chemical
equations for both reactions. Which form of A will be dominant in an alkaline aqueous
solution?
13.2 Commercial SAVO contains 22.4 g dm−3 of active chlorine. What is the corresponding molar
concentration of sodium hypochlorite in SAVO?
13.3 For the determination of sodium hypochlorite, 10.00 cm3 of SAVO (density 1.070 g cm−3)
were transferred into a 250 cm3 volumetric flask, distilled water was added to the mark andthe solution was mixed. An aliquot of 10.00 cm3 of the solution was transferred into a titration
flask and diluted with approx. 50 cm3 of distilled water. After the addition of 5 g of potassium
iodide, the released iodine was titrated by 10.15 cm3 of 0.0503 mol dm−3 standard sodium
thiosulfate solution to reach the equivalence point. Calculate the mass percentage of
sodium hypochlorite in the original SAVO product.

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Problem 14. Chemical elements in fireworks
Low explosive pyrotechnics used in fireworks contain inorganic elements in the fuel or as oxidizers
or additives. Typical fuels are based on metal or metalloid powders and typical oxidizers are
based on perchlorates, chlorates and nitrates with added alkali, alkaline earth and some transition
metals. All these substances can easily be determined in an analytical laboratory.
14.1 Explain the principle of qualitative flame tests used for the detection of sodium, barium andlithium ions dissolved in aqueous solution. Which flame colours are associated with theseelements?
Ions of alkaline earth metals and transition metals can by determined by complexometric titrations
with EDTA, which is a weak acid with pKa1 = 2.00, pKa2 = 2.67, pKa3 = 6.16 and pKa4 = 10.26.
14.2 Sketch the structure of a metal–EDTA complex. Which forms of EDTA will be present ina solution with a pH = 10 at molar concentration higher than 0.5% of the total?
The determination of calcium, strontium and barium ions by the reaction with EDTA is often
performed in the presence of an ammonium buffer, which keeps the pH of the solution around 10.
14.3 What is the chemical composition of an ammonium buffer? What is the role of an alkaline
pH in these reactions?
A combustible mixture used in fireworks (containing zinc, magnesium, lead, and no othermultivalent ions) in a paper cartridge was analyzed in the following three steps:i.

The sample (0.8472 g) was dissolved and an excess of cyanide was added to mask thezinc in solution. This mixture was titrated with 0.01983 mol dm−3 EDTA and V1 = 35.90 cm3
was required to reach the equivalence point.

ii.

Next, 2,3-disulfanylpropan-1-ol (DMP) was added and the released EDTA was titrated
with 12.80 cm3 of 0.01087 mol dm−3 of Mg2+ standard solution to reach the equivalence
point.

iii.

Finally, formaldehyde was introduced to release the zinc ions, which were subsequently
titrated with V2 = 24.10 cm3 of 0.01983 mol dm−3 EDTA to reach the equivalence point.

14.4 Write both ionic equations for the masking and the releasing of the zinc ions.
14.5 Explain the role of the DMP addition.
14.6 Calculate the mass (in mg) of all three elements in 1 g of the original sample.
14.7 10.00 cm3 of 0.0500 mol dm−3 Ca2+ solution was mixed with 50.00 cm3 of 0.0400 mol dm−3
EDTA in a 100 cm3 volumetric flask and after the pH was set to 6, the flask was filled up to
the mark with distilled water. Calculate the concentration of free Ca2+ ions in the solution.
Decimal logarithm of the stability constant for the complex of Ca2+ ions with EDTA is 10.61.
Consider only the equilibria that have been mentioned so far.

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Problem 15. Colours of complexes
Due to the absorption of a part of the light in the visible region of the spectrum, transition metal
complexes are often coloured. In this problem, we shall focus on simple cases in which thisabsorption is caused by d-d transitions.

Titanium complex
Titanometry is a reductometric method that uses blue-violet aqueous solution of titanium(III)chloride. The colour of the solution is caused by the presence of octahedral particles [Ti(H2O)6]3+.
The spectrum features absorption band with a maximum at 20 300 cm−1:

15.1 Draw the electron configuration of the ground and the excited state of the [Ti(H2O)6]3+ ion
into the schemes.

15.2 Predict the colour of the complex. Consider the absorption of the light at 20 300 cm−1.
15.3 In fact, there is a second absorption band in the spectrum. This band shows itself asa shoulder at 17 400 cm−1. Explain the colour of the complex based on the actual spectrum.
The presence of two bands in the spectrum is caused by the fact that the [Ti(H2O)6]3+ particle is
not a regular octahedron; it is rather an elongated octahedron. This elongation causes further
splitting of the d-orbitals.
15.4 Draw the electron configuration of the ground (a) and the excited states (b) and (c) into theschemes.

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Cobalt complexes
The K3[CoF6] complex is a rare example of a high-spin cobalt(III) complex. The fluorination ofcobalt(II) chloride yields cobalt(III) fluoride (1). Its reaction with potassium fluoride yields theK3[CoF6] complex (2). This reaction is carried out in non-aqueous media (HF) because cobalt(III)fluoride oxidizes water (3).
15.5 Write the equations of reactions (1) to (3).
The [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 complex is prepared by bubbling air through ammoniacal solution of cobalt(II)chloride and ammonium chloride under activated carbon catalysis.
15.6 Write the equation of reaction (4).
15.7 The common name of the [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 complex is luteochloride. It has two absorption
bands at the wavenumbers of 21 050 cm−1 and 29 400 cm−1 in the near UV and visible partof the spectrum. Predict the colour of the complex. Find the relation between the colour andits common name.
15.8 Explain why the K3[CoF6] complex is high-spin and paramagnetic, while the [Co(NH3)6]Cl3complex is low-spin and diamagnetic.
High-spin complexes with the d6 configuration have spectra like those of d1 configuration. The[CoF6]3− ion has the shape of an elongated octahedron.
15.9 Draw the electron configuration of the ground state and excited states provided that the net
spin of the particle is not changed when excited.
15.10 The wavenumbers of the bands corresponding to these excitations are 11 400 cm−1 and
14 500 cm−1. Predict the colour of the [CoF6]3− ion.

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Problem 16. Iron chemistry
For historical, political, economic, technological as well as biological and biochemical reasons,iron is one of the most important elements on the periodic table. In the following task some general
aspects concerning the chemistry of iron will be discussed from the viewpoint of physicalchemistry.
First, let us explore the available redox states of iron in detail.
16.1 Sketch the Latimer diagram for iron species (pH 0), using the following standard redox
potentials: E°(FeO42−, H+/Fe3+) = 1.90 V, E°(Fe3+/Fe2+) = 0.77 V, E°(Fe2+/Fe) = −0.44 V.
Calculate also the redox potentials for couples FeO42−/Fe2+, FeO42−/Fe and Fe3+/Fe and addthem to the diagram.
16.2 Determine the voltage equivalents for individual redox states of iron and plot the Frost
diagram. Decide whether the mixture of FeO42− and Fe2+ at pH = 0 will interact
spontaneously.
Another frequently used type of redox (and acid-base) equilibrium plot is the Pourbaix diagram. It
involves individual pH-dependent redox potentials. Let us look into the problem more deeply.
For simplicity, activities will be replaced with equilibrium concentrations even though suchdescription does not always adequately correspond to reality. Potentials are given in volts. The
notation of the cationic species in the text and equations ignores the water molecules in thecoordination sphere, i.e. Fe2+ means [Fe(H2O)6]2+, [Fe(OH)]+ means [Fe(H2O)5(OH)]+, etc.
Therefore, e.g. [Fe(OH)3] must not be considered as solid iron(III) hydroxide but it denotes
dissolved neutral [Fe(OH)3(H2O)3] complex species.
Each line in the Pourbaix diagram originates from the assumption that the activities(concentrations) of both species participating in the given equilibrium are equal.
(a) If only redox equilibria are considered, the resulting plot contains horizontal lines (Figure 1a).
A typical example is the redox pair Tl+/Tl with E° = −0.34 V (in the pH range 0 to 12; in morebasic solutions hydroxido complexes are formed). The mathematical expression of the given
line is simple, eq. (1):line a The potential at which activities/concentrations of Tl+ and Tl(s) are equal, i.e.
a(Tl,s)/[Tl+] = 1:
(Tl+/Tl): E = E° − (0.059 / n) log(a(Tl,s) / [Tl+]) = −0.34 − 0 = −0.34 V(1)(b) When the same approach is applied to a system in which only protolytic (e.g. hydrolytic)
processes occur (with no redox contribution within the selected potential limits) leads tovertical lines (Figure 1b). For instance, the stepwise hydrolysis of Ga3+ ion occurs according
to four overall stability constants of complex hydroxido species, eq. (2–5).
Ga3+ + OH− = [Ga(OH)]2+, logβ1 = [Ga(OH)2+] / ([Ga3+] × [OH−]) = 11.4

(2)

Ga3+ + 2 OH− = [Ga(OH)2]+, logβ2 = [Ga(OH)2+] / ([Ga3+] × [OH−]2) = 22.1

(3)

Ga3+ + 3 OH− = [Ga(OH)3], logβ3 = [Ga(OH)3] / ([Ga3+] × [OH−]3) = 31.7

(4)

Ga3+ + 4 OH− = [Ga(OH)4]−, logβ4 = [Ga(OH)4−] / ([Ga3+] × [OH−]4) = 39.4

(5)

The final expressions (6–9) can be derived and calculated as follows:

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 2018line b pH at which concentrations of Ga3+ and [Ga(OH)]2+ are equal, i.e. pH = pKa of[Ga(H2O)6]3+ leading to the formation of [Ga(H2O)5OH]2+:(Ga3+/[Ga(OH)]2+): pH = pKw − logβ1 = 14.0 − 11.4 = 2.6;

(6)

and, analogously:line c ([Ga(OH)]2+ / [Ga(OH)2]+):pH = pKw − logβ2 + logβ1 = 14.0 − 22.1 + 11.4 = 3.3(7)

line d ([Ga(OH)2]+ / [Ga(OH)3]):
pH = pKw − logβ3 + logβ2 = 14.0 − 31.7 + 22.1 = 4.4(8)line e ([Ga(OH)3] / [Ga(OH)4]−):
pH = pKw − logβ4 + logβ3 = 14.0 − 39.4 + 31.7 = 6.3(9)(c) If both redox and protolytic equilibria are involved, the resulting line is sloping. One usefulexample is the oxygen reduction (10) and hydrated proton reduction (11), which is shown in
Figure 1c. The analytical expressions of lines f (12) and g (13) have an identical slope value,i.e. both lines are parallel and they define the area of water redox stability with respect to the
reduction affording H2(g) and oxidation to O2(g).
O2 + 4 H+ + 4 e− → 2 H2O, E° = 1.23 V(10)

2 H+ + 2 e− → H2, E° = 0 V (def.)(11)

line f (O2,H+/H2O):
E = E° − (0.059 / n) × log[a2(H2O,l) / (a(O2,g) × [H+]4)] = 1.23 − 0.059 × pH

(12)line g (H+/H2):
E = E° − (0.059 / n) × log[a(H2,g) / [H+]2] = −0.059 × pH

(a)

(b)

(13)

(c)

Figure 1. Pourbaix diagrams of (a) Tl+/Tl system, (b) Ga3+/[Ga(OH)n](3−n)+ systemand (c) H2/H2O/O2 system.

Now, let us turn back to iron chemistry.
16.3 The construction of the Pourbaix diagram for all iron species is rather tedious. Thus, a roughform of the result valid for metallic iron and dissolved iron species between pH 0 and 14 isprovided in Figure 2.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 2018a)

All the lines divide the area of the diagram into many zones. Deduce which species
prevail in the individual zones in Figure 2 and fill the answers into the diagram.

b)

Using the data from 16.1 together with Table 1, derive and write down the conditions
for horizontal lines 11 and 17, and vertical lines 2 and 5.

Figure 2. Pourbaix diagram for metallic iron and dissolved iron species in water.
Table 1: Overall stability constants βn of ferrous / ferric hydroxido complexes.
log βn (Fe2+ + n OH−) log βn (Fe3+ + n OH−)
n=1

4.5

11.8

n=2

–

22.3

n=3

–

30.0

n=4

–

34.4

c)

As an example of sloping lines, derive the equation for line 6 and determine thecoordinates [pH, E] of its intersection with lines 2 and 7.

d)Ferrate(VI) anion is a stronger oxidizing agent than oxygen itself (compare line f in
Figure 1c with the stability region of the ferrate ion in Figure 2), and thus is stable onlyin an extremely basic region, in which the potentials of O 2/H2O andFeO42−/[Fe(OH)n](3−n)+ are comparable. Thus, in general, the ferrate ion is not stable in

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aqueous solutions and oxidizes water to oxygen. Suggest a method for generatinga ferrate ion. Write the corresponding stoichiometric equation.
It is generally known that ferric compounds tend to hydrolyze more readily than ferrous
compounds.
16.4 Discuss all the species involved in the Pourbaix diagram (Figure 2) in terms ion size andsurface charge density concept and explain which ligands would best match eachmetal-ion centre.
Thermodynamic, kinetic, spectroscopic and magnetic properties are closely related to theelectronic structure of the individual species. Since iron is a d-block metal, crystal field and ligand
field theories help us to understand the situation. Concerning the determination of the electron
configuration in the frame of split d-orbital levels, the most useful qualitative concept is the
spectrochemical series.
16.5 Write down the magnetic state of the following species (high/low-spin state): [Fe(H2O)6]2+,[Fe(CN)6]4−, [Fe(H2O)6]3+, [Fe(H2O)5OH]2+, [Fe(CN)6]3−. In the approximation of Oh
symmetry, calculate the LFSEs and express the results in the units of ligand field strength
Δo and electron-pairing energy P.
16.6 Figure 3 below shows the UV-Vis spectra of an orange-brown solution of FeCl3 containinga [Fe(H2O)5OH]2+ cation and of a nanosuspension of the Prussian blue (which can beapproximated as Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3). The spectra are shown in an unknown order. Assign eachcompound to the respective spectrum.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3. Spectra of FeCl3 and Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 (in unknown order).

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Problem 17. Cyanido- and fluorido-complexes of manganese
Manganese forms the highest number of oxidation states among the first-row transition metals.
This task deals with the synthesis and electronic structure of manganese cyanido- andfluorido-complexes in oxidation states +I to +IV.

Oxidation state +I
Metallic manganese reacts only slowly with water. It dissolves readily in 2 M deaerated solutionof NaCN to give colourless, diamagnetic Na5[Mn(CN)6] (1).
17.1. Write a balanced equation (1).
17.2 Draw the splitting diagram for the complex anion and fill in the electrons.

Oxidation state +II
Soluble manganese(+II) compounds (e.g. chloride, nitrate, sulfate) are common starting materials
for the preparation of manganese complexes. Mn2+(aq) in deaerated aqueous solution reacts withexcess CN− to give a blue ion [Mn(CN)6]4− with a magnetic moment corresponding to one unpaired
electron.
17.3 Mn2+(aq) ion can be considered as a high-spin hexaaqua-complex. Draw the splitting
diagram, fill in the electrons and predict the number of unpaired electrons in the complex.
17.4 Draw the splitting diagram for [Mn(CN)6]4− and fill in the electrons.

Oxidation state +III
Red [Mn(CN)6]3− is an example of a rare low-spin manganese(+III) complex. It can be preparedby three different methods:i.

Stream of air is bubbled through the solution of a manganese(+II) salt and excess of
cyanide (2).

ii.

[Mn(CN)6]4− is oxidized by 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide (3).

iii.

Manganese(+II) chloride is oxidized by nitric acid in excess phosphoric acid (NO isformed) (4). The green-grey precipitate thus formed is filtered off and dissolved inpotassium cyanide solution at 80 °C (non-redox reaction) (5).

17.5 Write balanced equations (2)–(5), (2) and (3) in an ionic form.
17.6 Draw the splitting diagram for [Mn(CN)6]3− ion and fill in the electrons.
Violet complex K3[MnF6] can be prepared by dissolving manganese dioxide in KHF2 aqueous
solution (6).
17.7 Write a balanced equation (6).
Other manganese(+III) fluorido-complexes exist with seemingly different coordination numbers:
Na2[MnF5], Cs[MnF4]. In reality, the coordination number of Mn atom is 6 in both cases.
Octahedral units [MnF6]oct in the structure of these salts are interconnected by bridging F atoms.
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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201817.8 Draw the splitting diagram for the octahedral species [MnF6]3− and fill in the electrons.
17.9 Predict the structure of anionic 1D-chains present in Na2[MnF5].
17.10 Predict the structure of anionic 2D-layers present in Cs[MnF4].

Oxidation state +IV
The oxidation of a [Mn(CN)6]3− ion by nitrosyl chloride gives a [Mn(CN)6]2− ion. When irradiatedwith sunlight, this ion undergoes reductive photolysis to give a tetrahedral [Mn(CN)4]2− ion.
17.11 Draw the splitting diagram for [Mn(CN)6]2− and fill in the electrons.
17.12 All the regular tetrahedral complexes are high-spin. Why? Draw the splitting diagram for[Mn(CN)4]2− and fill in the electrons.
Yellow fluorido-complex K2[MnF6] can be prepared by reducing KMnO4 with hydrogen peroxidein the presence of KHF2 and HF (7).
17.13 Write a balanced equation (7).
17.14 The electronic structure of [MnF6]2− can be described qualitatively by the same splitting
diagram as [Mn(CN)6]2−. Why?
Interestingly, complex K2[MnF6] can be used for non-electrolytic fluorine preparation. Upon
heating, it reacts with SbF5 to give K[SbF6], MnF2 and fluorine (8).
17.15 Write a balanced equation (8).

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Problem 18. The fox and the stork
A fox one day invited a stork to dinner, and being disposed to divert himself at the expense of his
guest, provided nothing for the entertainment but some thin soup in a shallow dish. This the fox
lapped up very readily, while the stork, unable to gain a mouthful with her long narrow bill, was ashungry at the end of dinner as when she began. The fox meanwhile professed his regret at seeing
her eat so sparingly and feared that the dish was not seasoned to her mind.
The stork said little, but begged that the fox would do her the honour of repaying her visit.
Accordingly, he agreed to dine with her on the following day. He arrived true to his appointment
and the dinner was ordered forthwith.
When the meal was served up, the fox found to his dismay that it was contained ina narrow-necked vessel, down which the stork readily thrust her long neck and bill, while he wasobliged to content himself with licking the neck of the jar. Unable to satisfy his hunger, he retired
with as good a grace as he could, observing that he could hardly find fault with his entertainer,
who had only paid him back in his own coin.

An alternative end of the fable (instead of the grey sentence) could be:
However, as the fox was very clever, he took a look around and found a solution to his problem.
There were many pebbles lying around. The fox did not hesitate even for a moment and started
to throw them inside the jar of soup. The stork was shaking her head in confusion as the fox kept
throwing the pebbles in, until the moment that the surface of the soup reached the brim of the jar.
Then the fox turned to the stork with a smirk on his face and said: “Of course I will taste it,” andstarted to eat the soup.
A minimum volume of the soup in the jar is necessary for the fox to succeed. This volume isrelated to the total volume of the pebbles eventually present in the jar. This total volume is related
to the number, size and way of arrangement of the pebbles.
Let us approximate the situation by a geometrical model:

The jar is approximated as a perfect cylinder with a diameter of 10.0 cm and a height of 50.0 cm.



A pebble is approximated as a perfect hard-sphere.

All the spheres have the same diameter.



The spheres are arranged as close as possible so that they touch each other.

The soup is approximated by water.

All pebbles are fully inside the jar (i.e. no part of any pebble is above the rim of the cylinder).

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Large stones
Let us consider the radius of the sphere r = 5 cm.
18.1 Calculate the maximum number of spheres that fit into the cylinder.
18.2 Calculate the fraction (in %) of the cylinder volume occupied by this number of spheres.
18.3 Calculate the free volume (in cm3) among the spheres that can be filled with water.

Pebbles
Let us consider an arrangement in which 7 spheres in the first (base) layer just fit into the cylinder:

18.4 Calculate the radius of the sphere (in cm).
In the following questions, consider an arrangement in which all the higher layers copy the
positions of the spheres in the base layer.
18.5 Calculate the maximum number of layers that fit in the cylinder.
18.6 Calculate the maximum number of spheres that fit in the cylinder.
18.7 Calculate the fraction (in %) of the cylinder volume occupied by this number of spheres.
18.8 Calculate the free volume (in cm3) among the spheres that can be filled with water.
In the following questions, consider an arrangement in which each even layer consists of
3 spheres and each odd layer copies the positions of the spheres in the base layer:

18.9

Calculate the maximum number of layers that fit in the cylinder.

18.10 Calculate the maximum number of spheres that fit in the cylinder.
18.11 Calculate the fraction (in %) of the cylinder volume occupied by this number of spheres.
18.12 Calculate the free volume (in cm3) among the spheres that can be filled with water.
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Sand
Let us consider very small spheres with diameter smaller by orders of magnitude than the
diameter of cylinder (r  0).
18.13 Calculate the limiting fraction (in %) of the cylinder volume occupied by the spheres.
18.14 Calculate the free volume among the spheres that can be filled with water.

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Problem 19. Structures in the solid state
The structure of sodium chloride, NaCl, is one of the basic crystal structure types of ioniccompounds. Its face-centred cubic unit cell is shown in Figure 1. The lattice constant of NaCl is
a = 5.64 Å and the radius of the sodium(I) ion is r(Na+) = 1.16 Å.

Figure 1. Unit cell of NaCl. Colour code: Na+ yellow, Cl– green.
19.1 Calculate the ionic radius of a chloride ion, r(Cl−).
Potassium chloride, KCl, crystallizes in the same crystal structure type. The density of solid KClis (KCl) = 1.98 g cm−3.
19.2 Calculate the ionic radius of a potassium ion, r(K+).
The structure of ionic compounds can be estimated using relative sizes of the cation and anion,
as r+/r− ratio determines what kind of cavity found in the anionic lattice could be occupied by thecation.
19.3 The ionic radius of a lithium ion is r(Li+) = 0.90 Å. Estimate whether LiCl adopts the same
crystal structure type as NaCl or not.
Some ionic compounds of divalent ions also crystallize in the crystal structure type of NaCl, forexample galena, PbS. Its lattice constant is a = 5.94 Å.
19.4 Calculate the density of galena.
Since silver(I) ions can be substituted for lead(II) ions in the structure of PbS, galena is a very
important silver ore. To ensure electro-neutrality of the crystal, the decrease in the overall positive
charge is compensated by the vacancies of sulphide anions. The composition of such a phasecan be expressed by a general formula Pb1−xAgxSy.
19.5 Derive the value of y as a function of x.
A sample of silver-containing galena, in which a part of the lead(II) ions are substituted by silver(I)ions and the decrease in charge is compensated by the vacancies of sulphide ions, has a densityof 7.21 g cm−3. The lattice constant of this sample is a = 5.88 Å.
19.6 Calculate the value of the stoichiometric coefficient x.
Zinc blende (sphalerite, ZnS) crystallizes in a different crystal structure type, which is closely
related to the structure of diamond. Both types of structures are shown in Figure 2.

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Figure 2. (a) Unit cell of sphalerite.
2+(b) Unit cell of diamond.

2−

Colour code: Zn grey, S yellow-green.
19.7 How many formula units (ZnS) are there in the unit cell of sphalerite?
Heavier elements of group IV (i.e. group 14), silicon and germanium, also adopt the structure of
diamond. The radius of elemental germanium is r(Ge) = 1.23 Å.
19.8 Calculate the density of solid germanium.
Germanium is a semiconductor similar to silicon. It is used in electro-technology and similarly tosilicon, it is also very fragile. Therefore, more flexible isoelectronic gallium arsenide, GaAs, isused in some practical applications. This compound belongs to semiconductors of III–V type(compounds of elements from groups III and V, i.e. groups 13 and 15, respectively) and adopts
the structure of sphalerite. The lattice constants of Ge and GaAs are very similar, anda(GaAs) = 5.65 Å. An analogous compound GaP also adopts the structure of sphalerite, but has
a smaller unit cell with a(GaP) = 5.45 Å.
19.9 Calculate the difference between the radii of P and As in the respective compounds withgallium (GaP versus GaAs).

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Problem 20. Cyclobutanes
20.1 Draw all possible isomers of substituted cyclobutanes with the molecular formula C7H14,
including enantiomers.
20.2 Mark all the asymmetric carbon atoms in the molecules from question 20.1 with an asterisk.
20.3 List all the compounds from question 20.1 that do not show optical activity.
20.4 List all pairs of enantiomers from question 20.1.

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Problem 21. Fluorinated radiotracers
Fluorodeoxyglucose, namely the 18F isotopomer 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), is
a compound used in cancer diagnostics in a technique called positron emission tomography(PET). In this technique, the patient is treated with a radiotracer which is preferentially taken up
by cancer cells. Upon radioactive decay, a positron is formed which rapidly annihilates witha nearby electron. A pair of γ-photons flying in opposite directions are produced and detected.
This allows for the localization of the tumour with high sensitivity and spatial resolution.

21.1 The isotope 18F is produced by a proton bombardment technique. Which isotope of whichelement is used for the production of 18F?
Since the amount of 18F-FDG used in PET is very low, the dose is defined by units of radioactivity
instead of the more commonly used molar concentration.
21.2 What is the amount of 18F-FDG (in moles) present in one dose of 300 MBq (3 × 108 s−1)?
The half-life of 18F is 109.771 min.
Assume that all molecules of 18F-FDG decay to 18O-glucose, which eventually undergoes
standard biochemical transformation into carbon dioxide and water.

21.3 At what time point will the chemical energy of 18O-glucose, produced by the decay of
18
F-FDG, be equal to the total energy of γ-photons not yet released from the remaining
18
F-FDG? In other words, at which time point would decomposing all obtained 18O-glucose
into CO2 and H2O produce the same amount of energy as the radioactive decay of allremaining 18F-FDG? The heat of combustion of glucose is 2 800 kJ mol−1.
Nevertheless, 18F-FDG is not the only fluorinated radiotracer in use. Compound 1 is a radiotracer
used in the diagnostics of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Molecule 1 binds to the dopamine transporter(DAT), a membrane protein characteristic of dopaminergic neurons. Degeneration of this class ofneurons is a symptom of PD. Therefore, targeted imaging of neural cells expressing DAT isadvantageous in the diagnostics of the neurodegenerative disorder.
A freshly synthesized sample of K18F reacts with ditosylate A, producing monofluorinatedprecursor B. Molecule B further reacts with amine 2 to give the final radiotracer 1.
21.4 Propose the structures of tosylates A and B. What additive X is required to render the
fluoride anion nucleophilic enough that the reaction runs to completion within minutes?

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Amine 2 can be easily produced by a sequence of reactions starting from cocaine (3), a natural
product from plants of the Erythroxylaceae family.
The synthesis starts with acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of cocaine (3) leading to compound C(C9H15NO3). Subsequent elimination with POCl3 produces, after a methanolic workup, compound
D. Addition of magnesium-containing reagent E to compound D provides, after subsequent
aqueous workup, precursor 4. The final step in the synthesis of secondary amine 2 involves
demethylation with 1-chloroethyl chloroformate followed by workup with aqueous sodium
carbonate.

21.5 Draw the structures of compounds C to E.
21.6 Compound 4 is not the only stereoisomer which can be formed by the addition of E to D.
Draw the structures of all the stereoisomers which are unwanted side-products of thetransformation.
21.7 The mechanism of demethylation of 4 involves the formation of acylated intermediates F
and G, and subsequent liberation of amine 2 with acidified hot methanol. Draw thestructures of intermediates F and G.

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Problem 22. Where is lithium?
Aryllithium reagents are key intermediates in the synthesis of a vast number of substances. The
preparation of such reagents can be achieved by the reaction of aryl halides with lithium orbutyllithium. Another possibility involves an acid-base reaction of aromatic/heteroaromaticcompounds with a strong base.

The reaction of substituted iodobenzene 4 with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) is an example ofan aromatic carboxylic acid synthesis via an acid-base reaction known as the halogen dance
reaction. In this case, the reaction affords acid 6 as the major product along with trace amount ofacid 5.

22.1 Draw the mechanism for the reaction of general aryl halide 1 with lithium.
22.2 Draw the structures of intermediates A, B, C, and D that explain the mechanism of formationof acids 5 and 6.
22.3 Acid 5 can be prepared by the so-called haloform reaction. Suggest a synthetic route fromsubstrate E (C8H3F3I2O) with suitable reagents.

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Problem 23. Synthesis of eremophilone
Eremophilone, (–)-1a, is a constituent of a commercially available oil with anti-inflammatory andrelaxing properties, isolated from the Australian Eremophila mitchellii shrub (buddha wood).

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure eremophilone is challenging due to the cis-configurationof the two methyl groups and the axial orientation of the isopropenyl group. The synthesis of thecorresponding diastereomeric mixture 1 starts from ketone 2, which is reacted withethane-1,2-diol under acidic conditions to provide compound A, followed by regioselective
reduction with a borane–THF complex. Oxidative work-up of the borane intermediate yields
substance B. Its mild oxidation gives product C, which is reacted stereoselectively in the next stepwith an appropriate λ5-alkylidenephosphane (ylide) D to furnish compound 3. Its reduction leads
to substance E, which reacts with butyl vinyl ether in the presence of mercury acetate to afford
compound 4. Heating of compound 4 results in its rearrangement to compound F, which, after
deprotection, provides dioxo compound G. Final intramolecular aldolization using reagent H leads
to bicyclic 5 as the key intermediate in the synthesis of eremophilone stereoisomeric mixture (1).

23.1 Draw the structures of the products and reagents A–H.
The key step in the synthesis is a thermal rearrangement of allylic vinyl ether 4, leading
to compound F. For the reaction to proceed, compound 4 must adopt appropriate orientation I
to allow for the subsequent sigmatropic transformation.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201823.2 Draw the required orientation of the allylic vinyl ether moiety I in compound 4 that enables
the sigmatropic transformation. Use curved arrows to show the flow of electrons in therearrangement step that provides compound F. What is the name of the rearrangement?
Note: You do not have to draw 3D structures.
This rearrangement typically requires high temperatures, but this is not always an essential
requirement. For example, allylic esters, e.g. ester 6, can also undergo this transformation by firsttreatment with a strong non-nucleophilic base such as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at−78 °C to give the corresponding enolate. Subsequent trapping of the enolate withchlorotrimethylsilane yields silyl enol ether J. When allowed to warm to room temperature,
substance J undergoes spontaneous rearrangement to substituted silyl ester L throughconformation K.

23.3 Draw the structures of J and L and orientation K that enables the sigmatropic transformation
to proceed. Use curved arrows to show the flow of electrons in the rearrangement step tocompound L.
Note: You do not have to draw 3D structures.

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Problem 24. Cinnamon all around
Cinnamon is an important part of many dishes and desserts, including Czech apple strudel,
Swedish cinnamon rolls kanelbullar, Indian spicy rice biryani and the popular winter drink mulledwine. There are several compounds in cinnamon which are responsible for its taste and smell,
mainly cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid and its derivatives. It is noteworthy that(E)-cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid are much more abundant in nature than their respective(Z)-isomers. While the former have a honey, cinnamon-like odour, the latter are completely
odourless. Let us first explore the syntheses of both stereoisomers of cinnamic acid.

24.1 Draw the formulae of isomeric products A and B.
24.2 Propose reasonable reaction conditions (X) for the interconversion of cinnamic acid isomers(A → B).
24.3 Starting from 2-bromoacetic acid, how would you prepare the phosphonate used in theabove-mentioned synthesis?

Both stereoisomers of cinnamic acid and their derivatives are often used as starting material
in numerous syntheses. Let us have a look at some examples.
Docetaxel (J), sold under the brand name Taxotere, is a semisynthetic chemotherapy drug used
to treat numerous cancer types. While the core structure, 10-deacetylbaccatin III (G), is extracted
from yew leaves, the side chain is prepared synthetically from ethyl cinnamate.
A key intermediate, epoxyacid F, can be prepared from both (E)- and (Z)-ethyl cinnamate.
(E)-Ethyl cinnamate is first reacted with osmium tetroxide in the presence of a chiral ligand. Only
one enantiomer of C is formed. The reaction of C with one equivalent of tosyl chloride leads tocompound D in which the hydroxyl group at position 2 is tosylated. In a basic environment,
tosylate D is converted to compound E. Alternatively, compound E can be prepared in one stepfrom (Z)-ethyl cinnamate by hypochlorite-mediated oxidation. A chiral catalyst ensures theformation of a single enantiomer. Hydrolysis of E then provides acid F.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201824.4 Draw the structures of compounds C, D and E, including stereochemistry. The absoluteconfiguration of all compounds can be deduced from the known structure of acid F.
Epoxyacid F reacts with 10-deacetylbaccatin III (G) in the presence of N,N´-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCC) to provide compound H. A subsequent reaction with NaN3 leads to compound I, which iseasily converted to docetaxel (J).

24.5 Draw the structures of compounds H and I, including stereochemistry.
24.6 What is the role of DCC in the first step? Write the appropriate chemical equation.

Taxifolin (K) is an inhibitor of ovarian cancer with strong hepatoprotective properties. It belongs
to 3-hydroxyflavanone (L) family of natural products.

The synthesis of compound L starts with asymmetric dihydroxylation of methyl cinnamate M using
osmium tetroxide as catalyst, potassium ferricyanide as oxidant and a chiral ligand. The synthesis
continues with the transformation of the ester group in compound N to compound O andsubsequent reaction of hydroxyl groups in the presence of an excess of chloromethyl methyl ether
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(MOM–Cl), yielding compound P. Compound P reacts with a protected aryllithium reagent ina non-stereoselective manner, giving a mixture of two compounds Q and R. The reaction of the
mixture of compounds Q and R with PDC yields a single compound S, which upon acidic
treatment provides compound T. Finally, the reaction of T with diisopropyl azodicarboxylate(DIAD) and triphenylphosphine proceeds by formal SN2 substitution of one hydroxyl group withthe other to furnish target compound L.

24.7 From the known configuration of product T, decide whether compound M is the esterof (E)- or (Z)-cinnamic acid.
24.8 Draw the structures of compounds N–S and L, with the correct configuration on the benzylic
oxygen.
24.9 Decide whether compounds Q and R are a) constitutional isomers, b) diastereoisomersor c) enantiomers.
24.10 Why can we not react compound O with the aryllithium reagent directly?
24.11 Draw the structure of the PDC reagent.
24.12 After whom is the reaction converting compound T to compound L named?

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Problem 25. All roads lead to caprolactam
The synthesis of ε-caprolactam (hexano-6-lactam) starts with benzene, which is converted
to compound A by exhaustive catalytic hydrogenation and subsequently oxidized by air in thepresence of cobalt(II) salts of a fatty acid. First, the desired product B has to be separated fromthe side product B' by fractional distillation. Compound C can be obtained by heating B withhydroxylamine sulfate and the desired ε-caprolactam can be obtained by heating C with sulfuricacid.
A modern alternative to this process is the photochemical reaction of compound A withorange-coloured gas E. Compound E contains a chlorine atom and is also formed during the
preparation of aqua regia. Compound D immediately rearranges to compound C.
Caprolactam can also be prepared from buta-1,3-diene by sequential catalytic hydrocyanation withtwo equivalents of hydrogen cyanide. In the first reaction, in addition to the desired compound, F,
compound F' is formed and has to be separated first. Compound G, after partial hydrogenation,
provides compound H, which is heated in the presence of water in order to give caprolactam.

25.1 Draw the structures of unknown compounds A–H.
25.2 Under which conditions will the equilibrium be most shifted from benzene to compound A?
a) 300 °C, 1 atmb) 300 °C, 100 atmc) 50 °C, 1 atmd) 50 °C, 100 atm
25.3 Write the equation for the formation of compound E in the preparation of aqua regia andsuggest at least one other way to prepare E.
25.4 Suggest the mechanism for the photochemical reaction of A with compound E.
25.5 What is an approximate wavelength suitable to perform the mentioned photochemical
reaction? Hint: E is not colourless.
25.6 Suggest a plausible mechanism for the conversion of C to ε-caprolactam. After whom is thereaction named?
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Problem 26. Ring opening polymerization (ROP)
Prof. Otto Wichterle was a famous Czech polymer chemist and inventor of soft contact lenses.
He also contributed to the production of an industrially important polymer poly(ε-caprolactam)(silon, A) by ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactam (hexano-6-lactam).

The polymerization reaction is usually carried out by a special type of anionic polymerization
initiated by the addition of a small amount of acetic anhydride to an excess of ε-caprolactam.
Compound B is formed which contains an imide bond that is more susceptible to nucleophilic
attack than that of the amide bond in ε-caprolactam. The molar amount of B is the same as themolar amount of the subsequently formed polymer chains.
26.1 Draw the structure of compound B.
After the initial activation, a base is added to the mixture (usually an alkali metal hydride oran alkoxide) to deprotonate another ε-caprolactam molecule (equation 1). This initiates
polymerization, which proceeds almost quantitatively typically within minutes. Propagation
proceeds as follows:- nucleophilic attack of ε-caprolactam anion on compound B (equation 2)- ring-opening of compound B (equation 3)- protonation of the product by another ε-caprolactam molecule, resulting in a further
unreactive N-alkyl acetamide end (equation 4).
The other end of the molecule contains the same type of activated imide as compound B and issusceptible to ring opening by another ε-caprolactam anion, which is formed from ε-caprolactam
during the proton transfer step (equation 5).
26.2 Write an arrow-pushing mechanism of the described initiation and propagation steps.
Poly(ε-caprolactone) is structurally similar to poly(ε-caprolactam), being a polyester instead ofpolyamide. The ring opening ε-caprolactone (hexano-6-lactone) polymerization can proceed bycationic, anionic or coordination mechanisms.
26.3 Draw the structure of poly(ε-caprolactone) prepared with sodium ethoxide as the initiatorand water as the terminator.
26.4 Two kilograms of ε-caprolactone were polymerized with 10 g sodium ethoxide with 83%
conversion. Calculate the number-average molecular weight of the obtained polymer (useatomic masses of elements rounded to whole numbers). Neglect the weight contribution of
the initiator residue to the molecular weight of the polymer.
Poly(ε-caprolactone) can also be prepared by radical ring opening polymerization of
2-methylidene-1,3-dioxepane (C).

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201826.5 How would you synthesize precursor C starting from butane-1,4-diol
bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (D)? Write the synthetic scheme.

and26.6 Imagine dioxepane C was prepared from a 14C-labeled compound D (the labelled carbon ismarked with an asterisk) and subjected to the radical polymerization reaction. Write thestructure of poly(ε-caprolactone) and mark the radiolabelled carbon(s) with an asterisk.
Proteins are natural polyamides based on α-amino acids. In living organisms, they aresynthesized by translation based on genetic information, but they can also be preparedsynthetically by a nucleophile-initiated ring opening polymerization. In this case, the activatedcyclic monomers, N-carboxyanhydrides E (also called Leuchs' anhydrides) are used. They canbe prepared by the reaction of an α-amino acid with phosgene:26.7 Draw the structure of the activated monomer E formed from α-alanine (2-aminopropanoic acid).
During polymerization, a gas is evolved and a polypeptide is formed.
26.8 Write the formula of the gas and the structure of the polymer formed from monomer E withbutane-1-amine as initiator.
Natural proteins are formed exclusively from homochiral amino acids, i.e., only one enantiomer ispresent in the protein. This is vital for its 3D structure and function. Theoretically, if only a singleamino acid in an enzyme is exchanged for its enantiomer, the chain changes its conformation,
resulting in compromised catalytic efficiency.
Let us investigate lysozyme, a bacterial cell wall-lysing enzyme present in egg whites and tears.
It contains 129 amino acid residues, 12 of which are glycines.
26.9 What would be the % yield of functional lysozyme if the proteosynthetic apparatus of thecell did not distinguish between enantiomers of the amino acids and had both enantiomersof amino acids available in equal quantities? Consider only the chirality on the α-carbon of
all amino acids as the configuration on other chiral centres (in threonine and isoleucine) has
only marginal effect on overall protein 3D structure. Note that only the enzyme digesting
bacterial cell walls is claimed as functional.
26.10 In one egg there is ca 120 mg of lysozyme. How much protein (in kg) would you have tosynthesize under the conditions described in 26.9 to produce enough functional lysozyme for24

one egg? Compare your result with the mass of the planet Earth (5.972 × 10 kg).

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Problem 27. Zoniporide
An emerging strategy to improve the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs takes advantage of the
kinetic isotope effect. Molecules containing non-radioactive heavy isotopes in metabolically
relevant positions may be cleared more slowly from the body. Zoniporide, a cardioprotective
inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiporter 1 protein, was considered a candidate for improved PK upondeuteration, since the major metabolic pathway of zoniporide involves the oxidation by aldehydeoxidase in position 2 of the quinoline core.

2

H-Zoniporide, deuterated in position 2 of the quinoline core is synthesized from ester 1 by thefollowing sequence of reactions:27.1 Draw the structures of intermediates A through C and reagent D.
27.2 Ammonium formate decomposes upon mild heating in the presence of palladium on
charcoal (transformation B → C) into three gaseous products, one of which is the reducing
agent required for the aforementioned transformation. Draw the structures of thesecompounds.

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The active site of the aldehyde oxidase enzyme contains a molybdenum(VI) cofactor chelated bypyranopterin dithiolate (PD).

The structure of zoniporide bound in the active site of aldehyde oxidase (2) is shown below. Twomechanisms have been proposed for the oxidation of the drug in position 2 of the quinoline core.
Mechanism 1 involves three major individual steps: formation of a molybdate ester, a hydride
transfer and a final hydrolytic step.

27.3 Draw the intermediate active site structure E involved in the proposed Mechanism 1
of zoniporide oxidation.
27.4 Give the oxidation state of molybdenum in each of the intermediate structures E, 3 and 4.

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On the other hand, another proposed mechanism, Mechanism 2, involves a concerted
substitution step yielding intermediate 3, which is further hydrolyzed to 4 in the same fashion as
in Mechanism 1.

27.5 Draw the transition state structure F for the concerted substitution step 2 → 3. Use a dottedline for bonds which are being formed and cleaved.
The following experimental evidence was gathered to determine whether the transformation
2 → 3 in the mechanism of the oxidation of zoniporide (and related nitrogen heterocycles) byaldehyde oxidase is stepwise (Mechanism 1) or concerted (Mechanism 2):a) The kinetic isotope effect, kH / kD, for zoniporide (deuterated in quinoline position 2)
oxidation by aldehyde oxidase was 5.8 at 37 °C.
b) The introduction of electron withdrawing groups on the heterocycle core led to an increasein the reaction rate and a slight decrease in kH / kD.
27.6 Which of the two mechanisms (Mechanism 1 or Mechanism 2) of quinoline oxidation byaldehyde oxidase is more plausible based on the aforementioned experimental evidence?
Rationalize your answer.
The molybdenum cofactor further needs to be reoxidized to its original state. The reducing
equivalents from one reaction are transferred, via an iron sulfide cluster cofactor and a flavincofactor, to a single molecule of oxygen as the stoichiometric oxidant.
27.7 What small molecule byproduct is formed by the reduction of O2 in this process?
Deuterium is not the only heavy isotope of hydrogen. In theory, an even higher kinetic isotope
effect would be expected using tritium. The isotope 3H is not used in practice to slow down themetabolism of drugs due to economic and safety reasons but let us at least theoretically look at
3
H-zoniporide.

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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201827.8 Calculate the theoretical tritium (kH / kT) kinetic isotope effect for the oxidation of zoniporide
by aldehyde oxidase at 37 °C. The deuterium kinetic isotope effect for the same reaction is
5.8. Consider the following approximations:

The harmonic oscillator approximationIsotope exchange does not alter the rate determining step transition state structure

The KIE is solely affected by the 12C−H/D/T stretching vibration mode

The KIE is solely determined by zero-point vibrational energies (the role of higher
vibrational levels is negligible)m(1H) = 1.0078 amu; m(2H) = 2.0141 amu; m(3H) = 3.0160 amu; m(12C) = 12.0000 amu
Hint: You need to calculate 1) the relevant reduced masses; and 2) the force constant for the
C–H/D bond before you get to the final KIE calculation.
Unfortunately, the kH/kD kinetic isotope effect of 5.8 for the oxidation of zoniporide by aldehydeoxidase does not translate into a more complex system. The degradation rate of 2H-zoniporide in
human liver cells is only 1.9× lower than that of 1H-zoniporide. This is because aldehyde oxidase
is not the only enzyme involved in zoniporide catabolism. Nonspecific cellular hydrolases, as wellas cytochrome P450 enzymes compete with aldehyde oxidase for the degradation of zoniporide.
27.9 Draw the two products of zoniporide hydrolysis by nonspecific cellular hydrolases.
Hint: Non-enzymatic aqueous alkaline hydrolysis under mild conditions would result in thesame products.

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Problem 28. Nucleic acids
Genetic information is encoded in a sequence of nucleobases which are bonded toa sugar–phosphate backbone. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contains adenine (A), cytosine (C),guanine (G), and thymine (T), whereas ribonucleic acid (RNA) contains uracil (U) instead of thymine.
The most common structures of nucleobases are shown in Figure 1, but these are not the only
possible ones. Since nucleobases contain a number of double bonds, they may occur in several
different tautomeric forms. Note that even zwitterionic tautomers are possible in principle, but thetasks below deal only with uncharged molecular structures.

Figure 1. Structural formulae of nucleobases A, C, G, T, and U bonded to sugar-phosphatebackbone (R).
28.1 Draw the structural formulae of all non-charged tautomers of cytosine. Assume thenucleobase is bonded to the sugar–phosphate backbone. Consider any pair of imino E/Z
isomers as two different tautomers.
DNA undergoes so-called hybridization, in which two DNA strands form a complex in a helicalshape. Hydrogen bonds between the nucleobases contribute to the correct pairing of twocomplementary strands of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Cytosine pairs with guanine, andadenine pairs with thymine (Figure 2). However, the presence of a rare tautomer in one of the
DNA strands opens the possibility for non-standard pairing of nucleobases.

Figure 2. Standard DNA base pairs.
28.2 Draw the structural formulae of the non-standard pairs T–G*, T*–G, A–C* and A*–C, where
any minor uncharged tautomer is marked with an asterisk. Keep the relative orientation of
the sugar–phosphate backbone the same as in the standard pairs and maximize thenumber of hydrogen bonds between the nucleobases.
Spectrophotometry is an experimental technique that is particularly useful for investigating nucleic
acids. Being aromatic, nucleobases absorb electromagnetic radiation in the UV range. At 260 nm,
sample 1 of a nucleic acid with an unknown concentration of adenine transmits 11% UV light.
A standard solution in which the concentration of adenine amounts to 27 μmol dm−3, absorbs 57%
UV light at the same wavelength.
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INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD / SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC, 201828.3 Calculate the unknown concentration of adenine in sample 1. Neglect any absorption at
260 nm by the other nucleobases and assume that both measurements were performed
under identical experimental conditions (cuvette length, buffer composition, temperature, etc.).
Spectrophotometry in the near-UV region is a useful tool to monitor the hybridization of DNA as thetemperature changes. Melting temperature Tm is defined as the temperature at which 50% of theoriginal amount of DNA double helices are dissociated into separated strands. Nucleobases within
dsDNA absorb less strongly than those in ssDNA, thus the dissociation of dsDNA manifests itself by
an increase of absorbance. The plot below shows the absorbance at 260 nm as a function oftemperature for two different DNA species (DNA1 and DNA2). Assume that both DNA species haveequal molar absorption coefficients and that all the measurements were performed under otherwise
identical conditions using identical equipment (initial concentrations, buffers, cuvette, etc.).

28.4 Considering the plot shown above, decide whether the following statements are true or false
or whether that cannot be answered based only on the plot.
a) At 320 K, the concentration of dsDNA1 is lower than the concentration of dsDNA2.
True

False

Cannot be answeredb) The melting temperature Tm of DNA1 is higher than the melting temperature of DNA2.
True

False

Cannot be answeredc) dsDNA of the species DNA1 is more thermodynamically stable than that of the DNA2 withrespect to their single-stranded forms.
True

False

Cannot be answeredd) dsDNA1 is composed of a larger number of nucleobase pairs than dsDNA2
True

False

Cannot be answered

The Rous sarcoma virus is a retrovirus. Its genetic information is stored in a single strand of RNA
rather than in dsDNA; recall that RNA contains uracil instead of thymine (Figure 1). The virus uses
an enzyme, reverse transcriptase, to synthesize its complementary DNA (cDNA) strand, which isthen transcribed to messenger RNA (mRNA). Finally, the mRNA is translated to a polypeptide
strand in the ribosome of the infected cell.
The following fragment of 8 nucleotides was identified in the RNA of the virus: 5′-CCCCAGGU-3′.
28.5 Write the sequences of cDNA and mRNA corresponding to the octanucleotide. Mind theorientation of the molecule, and identify the 5′- and 3′-termini.
28.6 How many possible single-stranded RNA octanucleotides do exist?
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