Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2445 short lesson, about 20 seconds
cis/trans Geometric Isomerism in Alkenes
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The idea
An alkene with two different groups on each double-bonded carbon can be cis, with like groups on the same side, or trans, with them opposite.
In practice
cis-2-butene has both methyls on the same side; trans-2-butene has them on opposite sides.
Where people slip
These are different compounds, not one molecule viewed two ways — free rotation only occurs at single bonds, not double bonds.
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