How can E/Z isomers arise?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 2, 2017

Consider the simple molecule 2-butylene...........

Explanation:

Now for H3C−CH=CH−CH3 we can have 2 geometric isomers:

cis-2-butylene or Z-butene; or trans-2-butylene or E-butene

![https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.9O2vdqn26zm6igIH4e9o2AEsBc&pid=15.1&P=0&w=340&h=105](useruploads.socratic.org)

For both isomers, the connectivity is MANIFESTLY the same: C1 connects to C2 connects......to C4. However, the geometry is manifestly different, and this geometric isomerism gives rise to different physical and chemical properties.

For example, cis-2-butene has a boiling point of 3.7 ∘C; on the other hand, trans-2-butene has a boiling point of 0.9 ∘C;

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