Question:
Alkynes on reduction with sodium in liquid ammonia form trans alkenes. Will the butene thus formed on the reduction of the 2-butyne show the geometrical isomerism?
Solution:
The negative charged developed on one carbon attacks the proton from NH3 and another sodium atom lose its electron to develop a second negative charge on the
atom. This negative charge is finally neutralised by the attack of the second proton to give a trans-but-2-ene.
This but-2-ene produced shows geometrical isomers as cis and trans.