ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: MALE CONTRACEPTIVES
A research chemist executed studies on the synthesis of chemicals which 
might have potential as male contraceptives. The 'lead' compound chosen 
was 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (DAP):
The scientist's reasoning for choosing this particular compound was
complicated, though pivotal to the choice were biological and chemical
similarities of the following four compounds.
Indolyl-3-ethanoic acid, "T", was the first plant growth regulator to 
be identified and characterized (1934-1936); its effects are observed 
in the familiar tropic activities of plants (e.g., the phototropism 
first noted by Charles Darwin in 1880), and it is known to be directly 
involved in both protein and RNA synthesis.
Ethene, "U", perhaps surprisingly, is also a plant growth regulator; in
this context, it is used commercially as a method of ripening fruit.
Spermidine, "V", is a natural tri-amine present in the seminal fluid
secreted by mammals.
1,2-Diaminoethane, "W", forms numerous platinum(II) compounds; some of
these show anti-cancer activity and, therefore, most probably affect
the DNA of cancerous cells.
1. Suggest one reason why the exponential increase in human population is causing concern. Increased food requirements / Increased pollution [1] 2. Naturally occurring female hormones, which prevent follicle growth and ovulation, are produced synthetically and incorporated into several contraceptives. Name two such hormones. Progesterone and Oestrogen [2] 3. State two functional groups which are shared between DAP and one or more of the compounds "T" to "W". Carboxylic acid and Amine [2] 4. What do the abbreviations RNA and DNA stand for? Ribonucleic acid and Deoxyribonucleic acid [2] 5. Compounds "T" to "W" are directly or indirectly involved with which two characteristics of living organisms? Growth and Reproduction [2] 6. Plants biosynthesize acid "T" in response to the stimulus of light. Name two other tropisms and their corresponding stimuli. Geotropism ; gravity / Thigmo- ; touch / Hydro- ; water / Thermo- ; heat / ... [4]

7.  Ripening fruit requires only a small quantity of ethene, "U"; this
is obtained by the catalytic dehydration of ethanol. Construct the
symbol equation for this reversible reaction.
                                                                    [2]
8.  Suggest the reason why spermidine, "V", is called a 'tri-amine'.
Presence of three nitrogens (... cf. ammonia) / three amine groups
                                                                    [1]
9.  Noting that certain platinum(II) compounds of "W" show anti-cancer 
activity, suggest one other metal ion which might also be effective.
Nickel(II) or Palladium(II) (... though neither has proven so)
                                                                    [1]
10. The synthetic route chosen by the scientist to 2,3-diaminopropanoic 
acid, a known compound, is shown below:
(a) State the colour change observed during the course of the addition
reaction of bromine with alcohol "X".  Orange-brown to colourless
(b) Alcohols "X" and "Y" are liquids at room temperature, with similar 
boiling points. What physical technique could be used to separate a 
mixture of "X" and "Y"?  Fractional distillation / Chromatography
(c) Name a reagent which could oxidize alcohol "Y" to dibromo-acid "Z".
Acidified potassium dichromate(VI)
(d) Name the gas evolved when a mixture of dibromo-acid "Z" and aqueous 
sodium hydrogencarbonate was warmed.  Carbon dioxide
(e) The conversion of dibromo-acid "Z" to DAP involves a substitution
reaction and a reduction (step 2). Suggest the purpose of the palladium 
in this second step.  Acts as a catalyst.
(f) Suggest one physical test used to confirm that DAP, a crystalline 
substance, had been obtained.  Melting point / Chromatography / ...
                                                                    [6]
(g) The scientist considered an alternative to the synthetic route to 
DAP; specifically, a fermentation process using propene as the starting
material. Suggest two potential advantages of this process.  Cheaper
raw materials (... propene via cracking) / Lower energy costs / Safety
                                                                    [2]
(h) Tests on laboratory rats showed that DAP was partially successful; 
thus, rats injected with DAP were less fertile than the controls (i.e., 
those used to isolate the independent variable; these were not injected 
with DAP). Accordingly, more compounds were synthesized - including two 
isomers obtained by the hydration of compound "X". Draw the structural
formula of each isomer.
                                                                    [3]
(i) This research was shelved as soon as some potentially devastating
news began to circulate in the early 1980s. Suggest one disadvantage in
using chemical contraceptives.  Do not prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases. / May result in medium to long-term side effects.
                                                                    [1]

Dr. R. Peters Contents' List & Teacher's Notes
Metals - Introduction (1)