Question

Explain why an optically inactive product is obtained when (-)-3-ethyl-1-hexene undergoes catalytic hydrogenation

Answer 1

Solution :-

When the (-)-3-ethyl-1-hexene undergoes the catalytic hydrogenation reaction then H-2 molecule is added across the double bond which causes it to have two same groups in the structure. As we know when the 4 different substituent groups are attached to the carbon then it is chiral carbon and shows optical activity.

But because of the catalytic hydrogenation process the chiral center is no longer present in the product molecule therefore it does not show any optical activity.

Therefore we can say that catalytic hydrogenation causes the loss of chiral center in the product therefore it becomes optically inactive.

Following image shows the reaction equation.