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Cis-Trans Isomers

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    39361

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    Cis-Trans isomers or geometric isomers are stereoisomers that differ from each other in the configuration either around a double bond or around a ring.

    eg. 1:

    cistransisomers1.png

    1 and 2 have the same molecular formula and the same structural formula and, therefore, are stereoisomers. They differ from each other in the configuration around the double bond. In 1, the like ligands are on the same side of the double bond; in 2, they are on the opposite sides. Thus, 1 and 2 are cis-trans isomers.

    eg. 2:

    cistransisomers2.png

    3 and 4 have the same molecular formula and the same structural formula and, therefore, are stereoisomers. They differ from each other in the configuration around the ring. In 3, the two bromine atoms are on the same side of the ring; in 4, they are on the opposite sides. Thus, 3 and 4 are cis-trans isomers.

    This page titled Cis-Trans Isomers is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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