MCQMediumJEE 2023Alkenes (Electrophilic Addition, Polymerisation)

JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

Choose the correct set of reagents for the following conversion trans (PhCH=CHCH3)cis (PhCH=CHCH3)trans\ (Ph-CH=CH-CH_3) \rightarrow cis\ (Ph-CH=CH-CH_3)

  • A

    Br2,alc. KOH,NaNH2,Na(Liq NH3)Br_2, \, alc.\ KOH, \, NaNH_2, \, Na(Liq\ NH_3)

  • B

    Br2,aq KOH,NaNH2,H2Lindlar CatalystBr_2, \, aq\ KOH, \, NaNH_2, \, H_2 \, Lindlar\ Catalyst

  • C

    Br2,aq KOH,NaNH2,Na(Liq NH3)Br_2, \, aq\ KOH, \, NaNH_2, \, Na(Liq\ NH_3)

  • D

    Br2,alc. KOH,NaNH2,Lindlar CatalystBr_2, \, alc.\ KOH, \, NaNH_2, \, Lindlar\ Catalyst

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: trans (PhCH=CHCH3)trans\ (Ph-CH=CH-CH_3) has to be converted into cis (PhCH=CHCH3)cis\ (Ph-CH=CH-CH_3).

Find: The correct sequence of reagents.

The solution states that the conversion proceeds through formation of a vicinal dibromide, then elimination to an alkyne, and finally selective hydrogenation to the cis-alkene.

Using the extracted explanation:

trans-alkeneBr2, aq KOHvicinal dibromideNaNH2alkyneH2/Lindlar catalystcis-alkene\text{trans-alkene} \xrightarrow{Br_2,\ aq\ KOH} \text{vicinal dibromide} \xrightarrow{NaNH_2} \text{alkyne} \xrightarrow{H_2/\text{Lindlar catalyst}} \text{cis-alkene}

Lindlar catalyst selectively hydrogenates an alkyne to a cis-alkene.

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Reaction scheme showing trans phenyl propene converted through dibromide and alkyne intermediate, then hydrogenation with Lindlar catalyst to cis product.

Reaction Sequence Explained

Given: The reagents must convert a trans-alkene into the corresponding cis-alkene.

Find: Which reagent set achieves this stereochemical change.

The extracted solution explains the steps as follows:

  1. Br2Br_2 in the presence of aqueous KOH gives a vicinal dibromide intermediate.
  2. Treatment with NaNH2NaNH_2 causes elimination and forms an alkyne.
  3. Hydrogenation with Lindlar catalyst converts the alkyne into a cis-alkene.

The reagent set written in the solution is

Br2,aq KOH,NaNH2,H2Lindlar CatalystBr_2, \, aq\ KOH, \, NaNH_2, \, H_2 \, Lindlar\ Catalyst

Hence the correct option is B.

The first solution image text mentions alc. KOH, but the detailed written solution and the declared correct option both identify B, so the answer follows the solution authority and option B.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing Na(Liq NH3)Na(Liq\ NH_3) at the last step is incorrect because dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne gives a trans-alkene, not a cis-alkene. Use H2H_2 with Lindlar catalyst to obtain the cis product.

  • Assuming bromination alone changes trans to cis is wrong. Bromination only creates a dibromide intermediate; the stereochemical inversion is achieved only after alkyne formation followed by partial hydrogenation.

  • Ignoring the role of NaNH2NaNH_2 is a conceptual error. It is needed for double dehydrohalogenation to convert the dibromide into an alkyne, which is the key intermediate before selective reduction.

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