Whats the difference between ez isomerism and cis and trans isomers? (they both seem to basically have the same rules so i don't get the difference)

1 Answer
IDKwhatName
Jul 14, 2017

They are the same, #"E- "-=" trans-"# and #"Z- "-=" cis-"#. Except E-Z is used for more complex isomers.

Take the two isomers for 1,2-dichloroethene for example:
https://organichem.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/cis-trans-isomerism-on-cc/

As each side only has 1 H and 1 Cl atom, you can tell if the Cl atoms are on the same or opposite sides, and therefore decide upon cis- or trans-.

However, if you took:
http://www.meritnation.com/ask-answer/question/when-we-draw-structural-isomers-wat-r-the-rules-we-shld-foll/carbon-and-its-compounds/626015

Each 'corner' has something different, there is nothing to compare each other too. However, EZ notation uses the total atomic mass of each corner to decide upon E- or Z-. In this case, on the left hand side #CH_3CH_2# has a greater mass than #CH_3#, on the right hand side, #CH_2OH# has a greater mass than #COH#. As the heaviest 'corner' on each side is on opposite sides, it is an E- isomer.

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