Sample pre-lab quiz for Aldol experiment.

1) Combinatorial chemistry is:

1. A combination of inorganic and organic chemistry.
2. Synthesis of a large number of compounds at the same time, then testing them for a desired property.
3. The result of a messy chemist's experiment.
4. Mixing together random chemicals from the stockroom.

2) In the following compound, which hydrogen (designated in bold) is the most acidic hydrogen, and hence the most likely to react with base in the first step of a base-catalyzed aldol condensation reaction?

1. b
2. c
3. d

3) What is one of the possible products of the following reaction?

question 3 answer

4) Using aldol or crossed aldol condensation reactions, suggest a synthesis of the following compound:

question 4 answer

5) A student synthesized chalcone 8 according to the procedure you will use in lab. The NMR of the product he isolated is linked to below. Is the product pure or is it contaminated? If it is contaminated, what is it contaminated with?

NMR spectrum of student product

Answers.