?Consider two chemical changes: one occurring at a tetrahedral sp3 carbon C(x,x,y,z) | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Organic Chemistry

Chapter 4 Problem 4.49

Question

Consider two chemical changes: one occurring at a tetrahedral sp3 carbon C(x,x,y,z), the other at a trigonal sp2 carbon C(x,y,z), where x, y, and z are different atoms or groups attached to C. Each reactant is achiral; both are converted to the chiral product C(w,x,y,z). In the first case w replaces one of the x atoms or groups, in the other w adds to the trigonal carbon.

   Both transformations convert C in each achiral reactant to a chirality center in the product. The two achiral reactants are classified as prochiral. C is a prochirality center in C(x,x,y,z) and has two prochiral faces in C(x,y,z).

   In achiral molecules with tetrahedral prochirality centers, substitution of one of the two x groups by w gives the enantiomer of the product that results from substitution of the other. The two x groups occupy mirror-image sites and are enantiotopic.

   Enantiotopic groups are designated as pro-R or pro-S by a modification of Cahn–Ingold–Prelog notation. One is assigned a higher priority than the other without disturbing the priorities of the remaining groups, and the R,S configuration of the resulting chirality center is determined in the usual way. If it is R, the group assigned the higher rank is pro-R. If S, this group is pro-S. Ethanol and citric acid illustrate the application of this notation to two prochiral molecules.

  Citric acid played a major role in the development of the concept of prochirality. Its two CH2CO2H chain groups behave differently in a key step of the Krebs cycle, so differently that some wondered whether citric acid itself was really involved. Alexander Ogston (Oxford) provided the answer in 1948 when he pointed out that the two CH2CO2H groups are differentiated when citric acid interacts with the chiral environment of an enzyme.

   The two prochiral faces of a trigonal atom C(x,y,z) are enantiotopic and designated Re and Si according to whether x, y, and z trace a clockwise (Re) or counterclockwise (Si) path in order of decreasing Cahn–Ingold–Prelog precedence. An acetaldehyde molecule that lies in the plane of the paper, for example, presents either the Re or Si face according to how it is oriented.

The stereochemical aspects of many enzyme-catalyzed reactions have been determined. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by removing the pro-R hydrogen (abbreviated as HR). When the same enzyme catalyzes the reduction of acetaldehyde to ethanol, hydrogen is transferred to the Re face.

A method for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral epoxides gave the product shown in high enantiomeric excess. To which faces of the doubly bonded carbons is oxygen transferred?

A. Re Re

B. Re Si

C. Si Si

D. Si Re

Solution

Step 1 of 4)

The first step in solving 4 problem number trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Consider two chemical changes: one occurring at a tetrahedral sp3 carbon C(x,x,y,z), the other at a trigonal sp2 carbon C(x,y,z), where x, y, and z are different atoms or groups attached to C. Each reactant is achiral; both are converted to the chiral product C(w,x,y,z). In the first case w replaces one of the x atoms or groups, in the other w adds to the trigonal carbon.   Both transformations convert C in each achiral reactant to a chirality center in the product. The two achiral reactants are classified as prochiral. C is a prochirality center in C(x,x,y,z) and has two prochiral faces in C(x,y,z).   In achiral molecules with tetrahedral prochirality centers, substitution of one of the two x groups by w gives the enantiomer of the product that results from substitution of the other. The two x groups occupy mirror-image sites and are enantiotopic.   Enantiotopic groups are designated as pro-R or pro-S by a modification of Cahn–Ingold–Prelog notation. One is assigned a higher priority than the other without disturbing the priorities of the remaining groups, and the R,S configuration of the resulting chirality center is determined in the usual way. If it is R, the group assigned the higher rank is pro-R. If S, this group is pro-S. Ethanol and citric acid illustrate the application of this notation to two prochiral molecules.  Citric acid played a major role in the development of the concept of prochirality. Its two CH2CO2H chain groups behave differently in a key step of the Krebs cycle, so differently that some wondered whether citric acid itself was really involved. Alexander Ogston (Oxford) provided the answer in 1948 when he pointed out that the two CH2CO2H groups are differentiated when citric acid interacts with the chiral environment of an enzyme.   The two prochiral faces of a trigonal atom C(x,y,z) are enantiotopic and designated Re and Si according to whether x, y, and z trace a clockwise (Re) or counterclockwise (Si) path in order of decreasing Cahn–Ingold–Prelog precedence. An acetaldehyde molecule that lies in the plane of the paper, for example, presents either the Re or Si face according to how it is oriented.The stereochemical aspects of many enzyme-catalyzed reactions have been determined. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by removing the pro-R hydrogen (abbreviated as HR). When the same enzyme catalyzes the reduction of acetaldehyde to ethanol, hydrogen is transferred to the Re face.A method for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral epoxides gave the product shown in high enantiomeric excess. To which faces of the doubly bonded carbons is oxygen transferred?A. Re Re B. Re Si C. Si SiD. Si Re
From the textbook chapter Chirality you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

Step 2 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Step 3 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Subscribe to view the
full solution

Title Organic Chemistry 10 
Author Francis A Carey Dr., Robert M. Giuliano
ISBN 9780073511214

?Consider two chemical changes: one occurring at a tetrahedral sp3 carbon C(x,x,y,z)

Chapter 4 textbook questions

×

Login

Organize all study tools for free

Or continue with
×

Register

Sign up for access to all content on our site!

Or continue with

Or login if you already have an account

×

Reset password

If you have an active account we’ll send you an e-mail for password recovery

Or login if you have your password back