Abstract

The presence of nuclear-spin isotope effects can hypothesized by the observance of CIDNP--unexpected distribution of spin states in an NMR spectrum of a reacting system.  When the organotin compound 1-phenyl-3-trimethylstannyl-1-propanone is photolyzed by ultraviolet radiation, it is expected the majority of the sample will recombine in such a way that favors isotopes with non-zero spins (because these isotopes have coupled magnetic dipoles due to their nuclear spin).  CIDNP can be detected using NMR spectrometry, and inferred by the observation of the sample's selective enrichment with isotopes of non-zero spin.  For this project, four synthetic routes to the proposed reactant molecule were tested: (a) synthesis using a hydride, and three using a phenyl Grignard to make (b) an ester, (c) a ketone from a nitrile, and (d) one using propiophenone.  The route that uses propiophenone as the starting material is the most promising, but needs more work to complete the Grignard reaction.