Question

. what, if anything, would be different about the product of the reaction if you started with z-stilbene instead of e-stilbene?

Answer 1

Answer: Yes the product will be different. If we use z - stilebene we would obtain trans dibromide.

Step-by-step explanation:

Just as you had started with a molecule with two phenyl substituents on the same side, the product has the configuration on each stereocenter the same as the other (R,R; S,S).

If you rotate the central

C-C bond by about 120∘ you can compare these more closely.

Had you started with (E)-stilbene instead of (Z)-stilbene, you would have gotten meso (1S, 2R) and meso (1R, 2S) isomers instead.