How many carbons are sp3 hybridized in this compound?
Organic Chemistry Question:
The chemical name is: 4,5(alpha)epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorph… tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5). Structural formula: C18H21NO3C4H6O6 - 2 1/2 H2O.
Please explain, I am totally lost here. Totally lost.
The compound is Vicodin, if that helps.
Holy cow -- what a question... (by the way, the compound is only one component of Vicodin - - the 4,5a-Epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one part).
Take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hydrocodone.svg
Let's start with the top of the four rings, the completely aromatic one (has three double bonds in it) - - sp3 hybridized: none
Next, in the middle ring, (the one that is roughly co-planar with the top ring) all four of the carbons that are not shared with the top ring are sp3 hybridized
In the bottom ring, three of the carbons not shared with the middle ring are sp3 hybridized; the "keto-carbon" (the one with the double bond to oxygen) is not
Finally (or next to last, actually), the bridging heterocylic portion which makes this a morphinone (the part that contains the nitrogen) both of these carbon atoms are sp3 hybridized.
Which leaves the methyl group on the methoxy and the methyl group on the heterocyclic nitrogen; these are both sp3 hybridized.
So, I count eleven, all total.
The only one I am not sure about is the carbon in the bottom ring that forms an "epoxy-phenolic-furan"-type ring (this is probably not the correct chemical name here)... the electron density across this epoxy-type bridge may be not exactly sp3 and not exactly sp2 either.
Rex, a physician, in the midwest
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