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Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry
Chapter 3, Problem 116

One of the most bizarre reactions in chemistry is called the Ugi reaction: R1C(=O)R2 + R3 - NH2 + R4COOH + R5NC S R4C(=O)N(R3)C(R1R2)C=ONHR5 + H2O Chemical structure diagram illustrating the Ugi reaction with hexyl groups.
(a) Write out the balanced chemical equation for the Ugi reaction, for the case where R = CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2— (this is called the hexyl group) for all compounds.

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Identify the reactants and products in the Ugi reaction: R1C(=O)R2, R3-NH2, R4COOH, and R5NC.
Substitute the hexyl group (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2—) for each R group in the reaction.
Write the chemical formula for each reactant with the hexyl group: CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2C(=O)CH3, CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2-NH2, CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2COOH, and CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2NC.
Combine the reactants to form the product: CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2C(=O)N(CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2)C(CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3)C=ONHCH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2 + H2O.
Ensure the chemical equation is balanced by checking that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ugi Reaction

The Ugi reaction is a multicomponent reaction that combines an isocyanide, an aldehyde or ketone, an amine, and a carboxylic acid to form a β-amino acid. This reaction is notable for its ability to create complex molecules from simple starting materials in a single step, making it valuable in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
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Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Balancing ensures the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning that matter is neither created nor destroyed during the reaction. This is crucial for accurately predicting the amounts of reactants and products involved.
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Hexyl Group

The hexyl group is a hydrocarbon chain consisting of six carbon atoms (C6H13) and is derived from hexane. In the context of the Ugi reaction, substituting the hexyl group into the reactants allows for the exploration of how different alkyl chains affect the reaction's outcome and the properties of the resulting compounds.
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