Question

Exhaustive hydrogenation of the following compound

under Pd/C generates a saturated hydrocarbon as the product.
The number of stereoisomers possible for this product is _______.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3

The given compound is an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing two double bonds. Upon exhaustive hydrogenation, both double bonds will be reduced, converting the compound into a saturated hydrocarbon.

The structure of the saturated hydrocarbon will have two stereogenic centers, which will give rise to 3 possible stereoisomers. These include:

1. One meso form (achiral due to symmetry).
2. Two enantiomers (which are non-superimposable mirror images of each other).

Thus, the number of stereoisomers possible for this product is 3