In a dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne which of the following is false?

a. The trans alkene is the major product.
b. All mechanistic steps involve the transfer of pairs of electrons.
c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes.
d. Ammonia is the proton source.

c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes is false.

In a dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne, alkenes are indeed reduced to alkanes. This reduction involves adding pairs of electrons to the triple bond of the alkyne, resulting in the formation of a trans alkene as the major product. The mechanism of this reduction involves the transfer of pairs of electrons from the metal to the alkyne, and ammonia can act as a proton source in the reaction.

The false statement in the dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne is:

c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes.

In the dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne, alkenes can indeed be reduced to alkanes. The process involves the addition of two hydrogen atoms across the triple bond of the alkyne, resulting in the formation of a cis or trans alkene. The different stereoisomers may be obtained depending on the conditions used in the reaction.

To determine which of the statements is false in the dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne, let's examine each statement individually:

a. The trans alkene is the major product.
To verify this statement, you would need to refer to experimental evidence or literature sources on the dissolving metal reduction of alkynes. It is important to note that the specific conditions and reagents used can significantly affect the outcome of the reaction. Typically, dissolving metal reductions tend to produce a mixture of cis and trans alkenes. However, some conditions may favor one over the other as the major product. To be certain about this statement, it is necessary to review the specific conditions used in the reaction.

b. All mechanistic steps involve the transfer of pairs of electrons.
This statement indicates that all steps in the mechanism of dissolving metal reduction involve the transfer of pairs of electrons. To verify this statement, you would need to refer to the specific mechanism of the dissolving metal reduction of alkynes. This mechanism typically involves the transfer of pairs of electrons during the reaction steps. It is advisable to consult literature sources or textbooks on organic chemistry to validate this statement.

c. Alkenes are not reduced to alkanes.
This statement suggests that alkenes do not undergo reduction to form alkanes in the dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne. This statement is generally true. In dissolving metal reductions, the triple bond of an alkyne is selectively reduced to a cis or trans alkene, and further reduction to an alkane does not typically occur under these conditions.

d. Ammonia is the proton source.
This statement proposes that ammonia serves as the proton source in the dissolving metal reduction of an alkyne. Ammonia typically serves as a proton source in many reactions, including certain metal reductions. In this specific reaction, ammonia is often used to furnish protons required for the reduction process.

To identify the false statement, you would need to gather supporting evidence or consult reliable sources like literature or textbooks on the specific topic of dissolving metal reduction of alkynes.