Comments

Overall

Generally you gave the right answers, however the discussion lacked depth.

Next time make sure you check the mark scheme – the absolute configuration is worth 35% and you virtually skipped this section.

Cyclopentadiene

Good. Correct values and a great explanation

Taxol

What about the other conformations… twist boat?

There is more to the alkenes. They are hyperstable. You titled a section in cyclopentadiene with this but it should be here with a discussion!

NMR

Greater discussion needed here, especially for carbon NMR. How did you do this? Did you use any corrections? There are heavy atoms present!!

Good reasoning for boat.

Epoxide

Crystal structure

Good

NMR

Overall OK. Discussion again though!

Rotations

Good that you found literature values! BUT one value is not total confirmation of the enantiomer – there are many other techniques available and the point of this section was to investigate how useful they are. A more extensive literature search would also highlight some unexpected rotational values.

You haven’t done anything with other alkenes!

TS

Not done

QTAIM and NCI

NCI – discuss features more. Is there any repulsion? What is causing the forces you see?

QTAIM – Does the location of the BCPs show anything?

Suggestion

OK – tetrasubstituted alkenes do not work with these catalysts