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Topic: Should this be cis(Z)-2-methyl-2-butene  (Read 12119 times)

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Offline Agent-X

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Should this be cis(Z)-2-methyl-2-butene
« on: August 05, 2009, 11:18:45 PM »
In a previous thread, someone wrote this about alkenes:
For disubstituted olefins, it's ok to say that if they're on the same size, it's cis.  and if they're on the opposite side, they're trans.  cis/trans are really most appropriate for disubstituted olefins.  you should change to E/Z for tri and tetrasubstituted olefins.

I have the molecule 2-methyl-2-butene:

(CH3)2C=CHCH3

Shouldn't I consider this molecule cis(Z)-2-methyl-2-butene?
Should it plainly be read as "2-methyl-2-butene"?

If I were to pickup a book and read "2-methyl-2-butene," I could visualize the molecule; but why is it not named cis-2-methyl-2-butene or Z-2-methyl-2-butene?
Intermittent SFN member. Former RS member. Washu is the bomb.

Offline orgoclear

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Re: Should this be cis(Z)-2-methyl-2-butene
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2009, 01:33:53 AM »
The compound that you have drawn  will not show geometrical isomerism because the two substituents attached to the C-atom are the same. So if you rotate the molecule about the double bond, you won't get a different compound (stereochemically). Hence you can't apply cis/trans or E/Z here

Offline Agent-X

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Re: Should this be cis(Z)-2-methyl-2-butene
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2009, 04:10:36 AM »
The compound that you have drawn  will not show geometrical isomerism because the two substituents attached to the C-atom are the same. So if you rotate the molecule about the double bond, you won't get a different compound (stereochemically). Hence you can't apply cis/trans or E/Z here

Thank you for your reply.
I understand.
Intermittent SFN member. Former RS member. Washu is the bomb.

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