Molecular Modeling
Essay title: Molecular Modeling
Molecular Modeling Exercise
The purpose of the is lab was to practice modeling molecules and exploring the capabilities of the ChemOffice programs. The minimum energy was found for each of the three molecules tested and the strain energy at different dihedral angles was plotted. The first molecule, butane, was easily completed but amphetamine and U4EA caused some difficulty. The results of the last two were not very conclusive.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this lab was to explore the capabilities of ChemOffice in the realm of modeling molecules. The strain energy was then taken at different dihedral angles to compare with each molecule and the text. Three molecules were used: butane,
amphetamine, U4EA.
Amount (g)
Molecular Weight
Amount (mol)
Density (g/cm3)
Boiling Point (°C)
Melting Point (°C)
Butane
58.123
0.6011
-0.45
-138.35
Amphetamine
135.2084
176.21
PROCEDURE
For part A butane was easily drawn in Chem3D and the molecular energy minimized. The dihedral angle was then changed to find the strain energy at each angle. These values were recorded and plotted.
In part B amphetamine and U4EA were drawn in ChemDraw and then transferred into Chem3D. Both molecules were minimized and the dihedral angle was found. It was then attempted to find the strain energy of different dihedral angles. Eventually data was recorded and plotted.
RESULTS
The three molecules were each adjusted to the minimum energy. The results are in the table below. The strain energy for each molecule at the specific dihedral angle is attached in both chart and graph form.
Minimized Strain Energy (kcal/mole)
Minimized Dihedral Angle
Butane
2.173
180°
Amphetamine
180°
118°
DISCUSSION
The process of minimizing the energy of each molecule was interesting to observe. The strain energy was fairly low for all three molecules. Amphetamine was unique because the strain energy was negative. This was very surprising and it is still unclear how this is possible.
The strain energy at different dihedral angles was very straight forward for butane. It matched the information given in the text. Amphetamine and U4EA both caused a great deal of trouble. It seemed that there were many minimized energy states, each with different dihedral angles and different strain energies. The