Round 9: Tossup 6

Elaidic (“EL-ay-id-ick”) acid undergoes this reaction to form stearic acid. A catalyst commonly used for this reaction consists of three triphenylphosphine (“tri-FEN-ill-FOSS-fene”) groups bonded to a rhodium atom and is named for Wilkinson. This reaction is (10[1])performed in a “syn-” (“sin”) fashion on a palladium (10[1])or platinum (-5[1])catalyst. (10[2])Due to isomerization, this reaction may introduce trans byproducts while making products less prone to (-5[1])auto-oxidation and more solid at room temperature. This type of addition reaction is used to produce margarine by reducing alkenes to saturated alkanes. (10[1])For 10 points, name this reaction in which a molecule gains two atoms of the lightest element. ■END■ (10[1]0[1])

ANSWER: hydrogenation [accept hydrogenization; accept word forms like hydrogenate; accept fat hydrogenation or hydrogenated oils or hydrogenated fats; accept partial hydrogenation; accept hydrogen addition; prompt on addition until read; prompt on reduction or redox reactions or word forms like reducing until “reducing” is read; reject “dehydrogenation”] (The third line refers to trans fats.)
<Editors, Chemistry> | Packet J
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups