Show how spiro[2.2]pentane can be prepared in one step from organic compounds containing three carbons or less and any necessary inorganic reagents or solvents. Spiro [2.2] pentane

Short Answer

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Question: Describe a one-step synthesis of spiro[2.2]pentane from an organic compound containing three carbons or less, along with any necessary inorganic reagents or solvents. Answer: Spiro[2.2]pentane can be synthesized in one step from 1,3-dibromopropane using sodium amide (NaNH2) and n-butyllithium (n-BuLi). The process involves deprotonation of 1,3-dibromopropane by NaNH2, formation of an organolithium species with n-BuLi, and an intramolecular nucleophilic attack to form the spiro[2.2]pentane structure.

Step by step solution

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1. Identify the starting organic compound and necessary reagents

The starting organic compound for this synthesis should have the potential to form cyclopropane rings. An appropriate candidate is 1,3-dibromopropane as it contains the necessary three carbon atoms for the synthesis. The necessary reagents for this synthesis are NaNH2 (sodium amide) for deprotonation, and n-BuLi (n-butyllithium) for the formation of an organolithium species.
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2. Deprotonation of 1,3-dibromopropane

First, NaNH2 (sodium amide) is used to deprotonate 1,3-dibromopropane at its central carbon atom to form a carbanion intermediate. NaNH2 is a strong base which facilitates the removal of a proton, leaving a negative charge on the central carbon atom: \[ C_{2}H_{5}Br - C_{H} - BrC_{2}H_{5} + NaNH_{2} \rightarrow C_{2}H_{5}BrC^{-}BrC_{2}H_{5} + Na^{+}NH_{2}^{-} \]
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3. Formation of an organolithium species

Next, the obtained carbanion intermediate is treated with n-BuLi (n-butyllithium). The carbanion reacts with n-BuLi, replacing one of the bromine atoms with a lithium atom to form an organolithium species: \[ C_{2}H_{5}BrC^{-}BrC_{2}H_{5} + BuLi \rightarrow C_{2}H_{5}BrCLiC_{2}H_{5} + BuBr \]
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4. Intramolecular nucleophilic attack

Finally, the organolithium species undergoes an intramolecular nucleophilic attack, with the nucleophilic lithium-bound carbon attacking the electrophilic carbon attached to the bromine atom. This forms a cyclopropane ring and changes the lithium to a bromine atom, resulting in the formation of spiro[2.2]pentane: \[ C_{2}H_{5}BrCLiC_{2}H_{5} \rightarrow \mathrm{Spiro[2.2]pentane} + LiBr \] So, spiro[2.2]pentane can be synthesized in one step from 1,3-dibromopropane using NaNH2 and n-BuLi.

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