Propylene oxide is a chiral molecule. Hydrolysis of propylene oxide gives propylene glycol, another chiral molecule.
(a) Draw the enantiomers of propylene oxide.
(b) Propose a mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of pure (R)-propylene oxide.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the structure of propylene oxide. Propylene oxide is a three-membered cyclic ether (epoxide) with one chiral center. Its enantiomers are (R)-propylene oxide and (S)-propylene oxide. To draw the enantiomers, depict the molecule with the oxygen atom in the ring and the substituents (methyl group and hydrogen) arranged around the chiral center. Use wedge and dash bonds to indicate stereochemistry.
2. Step 2: Recall the concept of enantiomers. Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. When drawing the enantiomers of propylene oxide, ensure that the (R)- and (S)-configurations are correctly assigned based on the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules.
3. Step 3: For part (b), identify the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis mechanism. Acid catalysis involves protonation of the epoxide oxygen, making the ring more electrophilic and susceptible to nucleophilic attack by water. The mechanism proceeds through ring opening, forming a diol (propylene glycol).
4. Step 4: Break down the mechanism into steps. (1) Protonation of the epoxide oxygen by the acid catalyst. (2) Nucleophilic attack by water on the more substituted carbon of the epoxide ring (due to regioselectivity). (3) Deprotonation of the intermediate to yield the final product, propylene glycol.
5. Step 5: Consider stereochemical outcomes. Since the starting material is pure (R)-propylene oxide, the hydrolysis will produce a mixture of diastereomers of propylene glycol due to the formation of a new chiral center during the ring-opening step. Draw the possible stereoisomers of propylene glycol formed in the reaction.

Key Concepts

Chirality

Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image, much like left and right hands. Chiral molecules typically have at least one carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, leading to two distinct enantiomers. Understanding chirality is crucial for analyzing the behavior of molecules in biological systems and their interactions.

Enantiomers

Enantiomers are a pair of chiral molecules that are mirror images of each other. They possess identical physical properties in an achiral environment but can exhibit different biological activities and reactivities. Recognizing the enantiomers of propylene oxide is essential for understanding its chemical behavior and the implications of its hydrolysis.

Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis is a reaction where water is used to break chemical bonds in the presence of an acid, facilitating the conversion of a compound into its corresponding alcohol or acid. In the case of propylene oxide, this mechanism involves protonation of the epoxide oxygen, followed by nucleophilic attack by water, leading to the formation of propylene glycol. Understanding this mechanism is vital for predicting the reaction pathway and the stereochemical outcomes.