Organic Chemistry III

Professor Carl C. Wamser

Chem 336 - Spring Term

Chapter 21 Homework Answers


1. Write all the resonance forms for protonated imidazole. One is shown below.

Note that the positive charge does not show up on the other two carbon atoms

2. Predict whether the following acid-base equilibria would be more favorable to the right or to the left. Use pKa data from your text.

a)

to the right (aliphatic amines are stronger bases than aromatic amines)

b)

to the left (with a pKa about 4, it is neutral above pH 4)

c)

to the right (with a pKa about 10, it is protonated below pH 10)

3. Given an optically active sample of 1-amino-1-phenylethane, write a series of reactions that could be used to resolve a racemic mixture of 2-methylbutanoic acid.