EXPERIMENT 2

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Purpose/Introduction
What reaction was conducted in this experiment and with what reagents? Was there a reason for this reaction beyond just synthesis of product(s)? What techniques were used to purify and identify the product(s) of the reaction?
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the bromination of trans-cinnamic acid and determine what the isolated products tells us about the possible mechanism. The stereochemistry of the product results from either a syn or anti addition of Br2 to the alkene. Recrystallization using ethanol and water solvent mixture was used to purify the crude product and melting point was implemented in order to see which products were synthesized. The syn addition products (2S, 3S- and 2R, 3R) 2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid have a melting range of 93.5-95 ᵒC. The anti addition products (2S, 3R- and 2R, 3S) 2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid have a melting range of 202-204 ᵒC.

Theory:
Experiment-Specific Questions:
In this experiment you were asked to present three possible mechanisms. Describe those mechanisms here. How will the bromination of trans-cinnamic acid allow you to distinguish between the three possibilities? What would you expect to find in your data in each scenario?
The three possible mechanisms are syn addition, anti addition, and both syn and anti addition. The syn addition is where both bromine atoms are added to the same face of the alkene. The anti addition is where both bromine atoms are added to opposite sides of the alkene. The syn addition mechanism is a concerted reaction since all bonds are made and broken at the same time. The pi bond from the C=C double bond is given to one of the bromine atoms. The Br–Br bond is broken and one of the bromine atoms acqu...

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...ge of 202-204 ᵒC. Therefore, the concluded mechanism was anti addition of bromine to trans-cinnamic acid resulting in (2S, 3R- and 2R, 3S) 2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid (pair of enantiomers) based off the key pieces of data derived from the melting point experimentation. If this experiment were to be conducted again, some possible changes can be to use a greater mass of reagents. This can help lower the chance in having the unreacted substances stuck to the sides of the glassware, consequently lowering the yield. Moreover, the addition of Br2 ideally should be from a fresh batch and free of contaminants; this goes the same for trans cinnamic acid. Having all reagents react in optimal conditions is what further increases the probability of obtaining a higher yield in recrystallized product and a melting point closer to that of the expected product.

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