In a dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne which of the following is false?

Question

a. The trans alkene is the major product.
b. All mechanistic steps involve the transfer of pairs of electrons.
c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes.
d. Ammonia is the proton source.

Answer 1

c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes is false.

In a dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne, alkenes are indeed reduced to alkanes. This reduction involves adding pairs of electrons to the triple bond of the alkyne, resulting in the formation of a trans alkene as the major product. The mechanism of this reduction involves the transfer of pairs of electrons from the metal to the alkyne, and ammonia can act as a proton source in the reaction.