Do cis and trans isomers have the same structural connectivity?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 25, 2016

Absolutely; this is why they are considered GEOMETRIC isomers.

Explanation:

Let's take the simple example of 2-butene.#H_3C-CH=CH-CH_3#. Clearly, there is a cis -isomer, and a trans -isomer. (I would post pictures but my google-fu is weak.)

IN BOTH isomers, #C1# is connected to #C2# is connected to #C3# is connected to #C4#. So the gross carbon connectivity is IDENTICAL. Nevertheless, the spatial geometry of each isomer is different, and this gives rise to different physical properties, and different chemical properties.

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