Round 8: 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 (10[1])bonded to a rhodium atom and is named for Wilkinson. (10[1])This reaction is performed in a “syn-” (“sin”) fashion on a palladium or platinum catalyst. Due to isomerization, (10[1])this reaction (-5[1])may introduce trans byproducts while making products less prone to auto-oxidation and more solid at room temperature. This (10[1])type of addition reaction is used to produce margarine by reducing alkenes (10[1])to saturated (-5[1])alkanes. For 10 points, name this reaction in which a molecule gains two atoms (-5[1])of the lightest element. ■END■ (10[1]0[4])

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

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