Reduction of internal alkynes to trans-alkenes with sodium in liquid ammonia

Rarely Tested

Anti-addition via radical mechanism:

$$R-C\equiv C-R' + 2\mathrm{Na} + 2\mathrm{NH}_3 \rightarrow \underset{(\mathrm{trans})}{RCH=CHR'} + 2\mathrm{NaNH}_2$$

Yields trans-alkenes exclusively (E-configuration).

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