1. TOPIC 4. STEREOCHEMISTRY (Chapter 5)
L12
TOPIC 4. STEREOCHEMISTRY (Chapter 5)

2. OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the three-dimensional structure of organic molecules
2. Recognize enantiomers, diastereomers, meso compounds
3. Provide R/S designations of stereocenters
4. Calculate optical rotations, enantiomeric excesses
5. Use molecular models to determine the 3D arrangement of atoms in chiral molecules

3. RECOGNIZING ISOMERS Isomers Constitutional Isomers Stereoisomers
Compounds with same molecular formula,
but different structures
Constitutional Isomers
Different connectivity
Stereoisomers
Same connectivity, different three dimensional arrangement
Diastereomers
Stereoisomers which are
not enantiomers,
includes geometic isomers
Enantiomers
Non-superposable
mirror images

4. CHIRALITY: ENANTIOMERS
Prob 5.30,31,33 35a,b,f
An object which has a non-superposable mirror image is chiral (the opposite of chiral is “achiral”).
Another test for chirality is to assess whether the object itself has a mirror plane of symmetry or point of symmetry (point of inversion).

5. Mirrors Planes and Centers of Inversion
Objects (molecules) with mirror planes or centers of inversion are achiral (NOT chiral)

6. Enantiomers
Molecules can be chiral. Pairs of molecules which are non-superposable mirror images of one another are called enantiomers. Enantiomers are examples of stereoisomers: molecules which differ only in the spatial arrangement of atoms.
Molecules with a single carbon atom bearing four different substituents can exist as a pair of enantiomers which differ in the arrangement (“configuration”) of these substituents.
The carbon is stereogenic
The carbon is a stereocenter
You must be able to recognize when pairs of molecules are identical (superposable) or entiomers (non-superposable mirror images)

7. Problem: Which of the following are identical to the first structure?

8. Problem: Which of the following are identical to the first structure?
PRS
Problem: Which of the following are identical to the first structure?

9. PRS Designating Configuration
Stereocenters are designated as having either R- or S-configurations….
- Assign priorities to the substituents using the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system (briefly, atoms are ranked in order of atomic number; if two atoms are identical, the next set of attached atoms is considered).
- View the molecule with the lowest priority (4) substituent pointing away from you.
- Trace from highest priority (1) to second priority (2), to third (3)….
Clockwise = R
Counterclockwise = S
e.g.,
D = deuterium = 2H; D > H
PRS

10. PRS
What is the configuration of the stereocenter in the following molecule?
1 R
2 S
PRS

11. PRS Ranking Substituents
If the atoms joined to the chiral center are identical, you must consider the set of three atoms connected to them:
A double bond is considered to be two bonds to the next atom:
PRS

12. PRS
What is the configuration of the stereocenter in the following molecule?
1 R
2 S
PRS

13. Examples of Chiral Molecules
S-alanine S-malic acid R-carvone
(an a-amino acid) (from apples) (spearmint)

14. Problem: What is the configuration of each stereocenter (chiral carbon atom) in each of the following compounds?

15. WHY IS STEREOCHEMISTRY IMPORTANT?
Chirality in Nature
Most biomolecules are chiral and only exist as one enantiomer in nature.
Amino acids Carbohydrates Nucleotides
(in proteins) (sugars) (in DNA)
e.g., valine e.g., glucose e.g., cytosine
Problem: What is the configuration of each stereocenter (chiral carbon atom) in each of the above compounds?
S:5.1; 5.4; 5.11

16. Chiral Pharmaceuticals: Thalidomide
Racemate marketed in Europe in early 1960s for treatment of morning sickness. One enantiomer is a sedative. However, the other causes birth defects.
Today, both enantiomers of any pharmaceutical must be tested for efficacy and side effects. Recent studies have shown that thalidomide may be effective against HIV, cancer, leprosy and other inflammatory disorders.
Problem: Which enantiomer of thalidomide is shown above?
S:5.11

17. Interaction between the Body (Receptors) and Chiral Drugs
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19. CONSEQUENCES OF CHIRALITY: ROTATION OF PLANE- POLARIZED LIGHT
Enantiomers have identical physical and chemical properties in the absence of other chiral molecules, except for their influence on plane-polarized light.
Polarimetry
L13 S:
Prob:5.42; 43
PRS
PRS

20. PRS
What is the configuration of the stereocenter in the following molecule?
1 R
2 S
PRS

21. PRS
What is the configuration of the stereocenter in the following molecule?
1 R
2 S
PRS

22. Optical Rotation
The observed rotation is : a
The observed specific rotatation is: [a] = a / c∙l
where c = concentration of solution (in g/mL) and l = pathlength in dm
(1 dm = 10 cm = 10-1 m)
a and [a] depend on solvent, temperature and wavelength of the polarized light. Generally the sodium D line is used for the light sorce and the experiment is done at room temperature, 25 °C.
The specific rotation is then noted as
The specific rotation of an optical pure chiral compound is a “property” (like melting point or boiling point)
The specific rotation, [a],of a given sample depends on it “optical purity”

23. Optical Purity
Problem: The [a] of the R-enantiomer of compound A is +100°.
What is the [a] of the S-enantiomer? What is the [a] of a equal mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers (racemic mixture)?
The % excess amount of one enanatiomer over the other is called the enantiomeric excess (ee). e.g., 100 % one enantiomer, ee = 100 %;
50% one enantiomer, 50% other enantiomer, ee = 0 %.
The [a] of a certain mixture of R- and S-enantiomers of compound A is -50°. What is the ee of this mixture? What is the % R-enantiomer in this mixture?
-100 deg; 0 deg; ee = 50% (S); %(R) = 75%

24. Other Terminology
Review: The terminology “R-enantiomer of compound A” refers to its absolute configuration using the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system
If the [a] of (R)-A, is (+) we can also refer to it as (+)-A or (d )-A, where d stands for dextrorotatory (clockwise).
In this case, the [a] of (S)-A, would be (-) and we can also refer to it as (-)-A or (l )-A, where l stands for levotrorotatory (counterclockwise).
Thus, (+) = (d), and (-) = (l)
HOWEVER, in general, the R-enantiomer might be either (+) or (-).
An equal mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers of compound A, is called a racemic mixture and is noted as (R/S)-A, or (±)-A or (d,l )-A.

25. 1. Draw the R-enantiomer of Naproxen. 2. Can this sample be marketed?
Problem: Both enantiomers of chiral pharmaceuticals must be tested independently. Many chiral drugs must be prescribed as a single enantiomer. Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory, prepared as a single enantiomer (shown). A regulatory agency mandates that this drug be sold at greater than 97% e.e. The specific rotation of the R-enantiomer (in CHCl3) is +65.5°. A production engineer samples the latest 50 kg batch of Naproxen produced at the plant. She dissolves 2.6 g of product in 10 mL of chloroform and measures an optical rotation of +15.2° in a 10 cm (1 dm) polarimeter.
1. Draw the R-enantiomer of Naproxen.
2. Can this sample be marketed?
3. What mass of the 50 kg batch is actually the (+)(R)-enantiomer? *
(1) (2) NO, ee=89.3% (3) kg

26. SYNTHESIS OF CHIRAL MOLECULES
Synthesis Starting with Achiral Compounds
Most syntheses are not enantiospecific: if a reaction forms a stereocenter, it will proceed to give a racemic mixture of two enantiomers.
achiral product
i.e., achiral starting material  or
e.g. racemic mixture
Chiral catalysts can be used to induce chirality, e.g.,
S:5.10; 5.15

27. Synthesis Starting with Chiral Compounds
Chiral starting materials can be transformed to:
Molecules with the same stereochemistry (i.e., R  R, “retention of stereochemistry”)

28. Molecules with the opposite stereochemistry (i.e., R  S, “inversion”)
Racemic mixture
(i.e., R  [R/S or (d,l ) or (±)], “racemization”)

29. STEREOISOMERS WITH MORE THAN ONE STEREOCENTER
Prob: 5.33,34, 35c-e,41
Diastereomers
Problem: Draw all the stereoisomers of this molecule:
PRS
For a molecule with n stereocenters, there are a maximum of 2n stereoisomers.

30. PRS
What are the configurations of the two stereocenters in the following molecule of 2,3-dihydroxybutanoic acid?
1 2R,3R
2 2R,3S
3 2S,3R
4 2S,3S
PRS

31. For a single stereocenter:
R S
For a compound with two stereocenters with different set of substituents:
R—R’ S’—S
R—S’ R’—S
Stereoisomers which are not mirror images of each other are called diastereomers.
Diastereomers have different properties from each other (solubility, mp, bp, polarity). They can be separated by recrystallization, distillation or chromatography.

32. Problem: Draw the enantiomer of the molecule shown.
Problem: Draw two diastereomers of the molecule shown above. S R

33. Meso Compounds
If the sets of substituents on stereogenic centers are identical there will be fewer than 2n stereoisomers.
Compounds with stereogenic centers which are not chiral are called meso compounds.
Meso compounds possess a point or plane of symmetry (in at least one conformation)
L14
PRS

34. PRS PRS Which of the following structures are identical? A B C D
1 A and B
2 A and C
3 A and C
4 B and C
5 B and D
6 C and D
PRS

35. For a compounds with two stereocenters with the same sets of substitutents
R—R S—S
R—S = R—S
e.g., tartaric acid
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36. HWeb 10
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37. SEPARATION OF ENANTIOMERS
Racemic mixtures of carboxylic acids can be treated with a pure enantiomer of an amine to form a pair of diastereomeric ammonium carboxylates.
general reaction:
e.g.,
S:5.16

38. The pair of diastereomeric ammonium carboxylates can usually be separated by recrystallization (with hard work and luck) and the two acids (and the amine) recovered.
e.g.,

39. PRS CYCLIC COMPOUNDS e.g., trans- and cis-1,2-dimethylcyclobutane
e.g., trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane
S:5.14
Prob: 5.35h,j,o,p; 37-40
PRS

40. PRS PRS Which of the following is chiral?
trans 1,2-dimethylcyclobutane cis 1,2-dimethylcyclobutane
1 Only cis
2 Only trans
3 cis and trans
PRS

41. Problem: Is cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane chiral?

42. FISCHER PROJECTIONS: ANOTHER 3-D REPRESENTION OF MOLECULES
Prob:5.35 k-l
Orient the molecule so that substituents oriented up and down are pointing away from you and then apply a steamroller.
Converting a Fischer projection back into a 3D tetrahedral representation.
PRS

43. PRS PRS Are the following structures identical or enantiomers?

44. Problem: Which of the following is different from the others?

45. For Fischer projections of compounds with more than one stereocenter,remember that each represents and
consider each stereocenter one at a time
Problem: Complete the Fischer projection on the right to represent the molecule on the left. Consider the configuration of the two carbon atoms independent of one another. Provide a complete name for this compound (including stereochemistry!) Is this compound chiral?

46. OTHER CHIRAL COMPOUNDS
Non-Carbon Stereocenters
Chiral molecules without stereocenters: Allenes (C=C=C)
Problem: Which of the following are chiral?
Prob: 5.35q,36

47. HWeb TOPIC 4 ON EXAM 2 Types of Questions Preparing for Exam 2:
- Recognize enantiomers, diastereomers, meso compounds
- Provide R/S designations of stereocenters
- Calculate optical rotations, enantiomeric excesses
The problems in the book are good examples of the types of problems on the exam.
Preparing for Exam 2:
- Work as many problems as possible.
- Work in groups.
- Do the “Learning Group Problem” at the end of the chapter.
You may bring models to the exam, but are limited to two chiral carbon atoms.
YOU MAY USE A SMALL MODEL KIT AND A CALCULATOR DURING EXAM 2.
You will NOT have access to these on the final.
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48. HWeb 11
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