Reaction of Br2 with Possible Products & Stereoisomers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reaction of bromine (Br2) with certain organic compounds, focusing on identifying possible products and their stereoisomers. Participants explore the mechanisms of bromination, the formation of intermediates, and the implications for stereochemistry, particularly in the context of homework problems.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that for product 1, there is 1 chiral center and 1 double bond, leading to a calculation of 22 products, while others suggest the correct answer is 2 products.
  • There is confusion regarding the representation of products 1, 2, and 3, with some participants seeking clarification on whether they correspond to structures drawn by the original poster.
  • Participants discuss the mechanism of bromine attachment, questioning whether it involves a planar intermediate or not, with some suggesting that the bromonium ion is non-planar.
  • One participant notes that having a double bond does not guarantee stereoisomerism unless there is flexibility for multiple orientations, particularly in cyclic structures.
  • There is a debate about whether cis and trans products are formed in the reaction, with some asserting that the bromide ion's attack leads to exclusively trans products.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about how two stereocenters can be dependent on each other, with explanations provided regarding the orientation of bromine attachments.
  • One participant concludes that only one product exists in trans form, while another argues that two products are possible due to the nature of stereocenter interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the number of products and stereoisomers resulting from the reaction. Multiple competing views exist regarding the mechanisms of bromination and the implications for stereochemistry.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight limitations in understanding the problem statement and the assumptions regarding the nature of the intermediates and the stereochemistry involved in the reaction.

utkarshakash
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Homework Statement


Give all possible products of the following reaction. How many stereoisomers of each product could be obained

Homework Equations


See attached image

The Attempt at a Solution



For product 1, there is 1 chiral centre and 1 double bond. ∴No. of products = 22
For 2, it will be same as 1.
For 3, two chiral centres. Thus, 22 products.

Correct answer according to solution:-
1 - 2 products
2 - 4 products
3 - 2 products
 

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utkarshakash said:

Homework Statement


Give all possible products of the following reaction. How many stereoisomers of each product could be obained

Homework Equations


See attached image

The Attempt at a Solution



For product 1, there is 1 chiral centre and 1 double bond. ∴No. of products = 22
For 2, it will be same as 1.
For 3, two chiral centres. Thus, 22 products.

Correct answer according to solution:-
1 - 2 products
2 - 4 products
3 - 2 products

I am not sure if I understood the problem statement and your attempt. The question asked to find the possible products but then what does the following mean:
Correct answer according to solution:-
1 - 2 products
2 - 4 products
3 - 2 products
What does 1,2 and 3 represent? Do they represent the structures you have drawn and are they correct according to the solution key?
 
Pranav-Arora said:
I am not sure if I understood the problem statement and your attempt. The question asked to find the possible products but then what does the following mean:

What does 1,2 and 3 represent? Do they represent the structures you have drawn and are they correct according to the solution key?

They represent the structures in my diagram and are correct according to the solution key.
The total possible products are 3 but then the problem also asks the number of stereoisomers of each possible products.
 
Ask yourself how does Bromine attach to the given molecule? Does it involve the formation of planar intermediate at the site of bonding or is it something else? Just a food for thought.
 
AGNuke said:
Ask yourself how does Bromine attach to the given molecule? Does it involve the formation of planar intermediate at the site of bonding or is it something else? Just a food for thought.

The bromonium ion attaches itself to the double bond and then, the bromide ion attacks resulting in the formation of product. I guess the intermediate must be non-planar.
 
Really? The triangular C-Br-C intermediate forms and that is non-planar?
 
AGNuke, do you still remember this stuff? :smile:
 
Pranav-Arora said:
AGNuke, do you still remember this stuff? :smile:

No, I don't. I was talking just about the C-Br-C bond.
 
  • #10
Please note that having a double bond doesn't confirm stereoisomerism unless there is a flexibility to have more than one orientation (hint: Double bond in the ring, product 1)

Second one - I'm sure you can do it.

Third one - Again, go through the mechanism and witness how Br- attacks that "intermediate". You'll reach the conclusion. (Hint: The stereocentres are not independent of each other)
 
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  • #11
AGNuke said:
Please note that having a double bond doesn't confirm stereoisomerism unless there is a flexibility to have more than one orientation (hint: Double bond in the ring, product 1)

Second one - I'm sure you can do it.

Third one - Again, go through the mechanism and witness how Br- attacks that "intermediate". You'll reach the conclusion. (Hint: The stereocentres are not independent of each other)

This means whenever a double bond is present in the ring, only one product is obtained, right? For third one, are cis and trans products formed ?
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Nope. Try to remember how Bromide ion attack. The Bromidium ion exclusively runs away from the direction of attack of the Bromide ion, so the product will always be Trans.

But as I said, their chirality is not independent, use this fact to arrive at the conclusion that you'll get a racemic mixture of two possible trans product.
 
  • #13
AGNuke said:
Nope. Try to remember how Bromide ion attack. The Bromidium ion exclusively runs away from the direction of attack of the Bromide ion, so the product will always be Trans.

But as I said, their chirality is not independent, use this fact to arrive at the conclusion that you'll get a racemic mixture of two possible trans product.

I still can't understand how the two stereocentres are dependent.
 
  • #14
Since the bromide ion and brominium ion are always opposite to each other (as far as I can remember), they are always in Trans orientation. The two stereocentres each have one bromine attached to them. But since they are always in trans state, you can't independently permute the two stereocentres, or else there'll be two cases for cis orientation, which is not possible. Hence, the stereocentres are obliged to be dependent.
 
  • #15
AGNuke said:
Since the bromide ion and brominium ion are always opposite to each other (as far as I can remember), they are always in Trans orientation. The two stereocentres each have one bromine attached to them. But since they are always in trans state, you can't independently permute the two stereocentres, or else there'll be two cases for cis orientation, which is not possible. Hence, the stereocentres are obliged to be dependent.

Then only one product should exist, and that too in trans form. But why is the answer 2?
 
  • #16
Umm... if you change the orientation at one point, the orientation at another point will also change. Hence the two products. Now draw the products in the wedge-dash diagram and appreciate the fact that you'll be getting a racemic mixture.
 

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