H Br Br Br Br H Br Br
anti-addition
In general, when trans-‐cinnamic acid is used as a reactant, two enantiomeric pairs can be formed, one from anti-‐addition and the other from syn-‐addition. The chemical reactions as well as the products’ Fischer projections are elucidated here.
O OH trans-cinnamic acid Note: = reflux Br2 in CH2Cl2 Br 2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid Br O OH
CO2H H Br Br H Ph 2S,3S
CO2H Br H H Br Ph 2R,3R
CO2H Br H Br H Ph 2R,3S
H H
CO2H Br Br Ph
2S,3R
Enantiomeric pair (threo) mp = 93.5-95 oC Another enantiomeric pair (erythro) mp = 202-204 oC Ph = Phenyl group
In this experiment, you will brominates trans-‐cinnamic acid and determine the stereochemistry of the product by means of