Predict the products of the following metathesis reaction. Assume there is no self-metathesis and the product is unreactive under reaction conditions.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants in the metathesis reaction. In this case, the reactants are 2-methyl-2-butene and cyclopentene.
2. Understand that a metathesis reaction involves the exchange of alkene fragments between the reactants. The Grubbs catalyst facilitates this exchange by breaking and reforming carbon-carbon double bonds.
3. Predict the possible products by considering the exchange of alkene fragments. The two alkenes can form a new carbon-carbon double bond by swapping their alkene parts.
4. Consider the stability of the potential products. The reaction will favor the formation of the most stable alkenes, typically those with more substituted double bonds.
5. Draw the structures of the predicted products, ensuring that the new double bonds are correctly placed and that the overall molecular structure is stable and consistent with the reaction conditions.