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Naming every alkene as cis or trans

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:36 pm
by Madeline Fox 2B
From now on when naming a structure, do we have to name every alkene as cis or trans?

Re: Naming every alkene as cis or trans

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:04 pm
by Jenna_Hakel_2A
If one of the carbons has 2 of the same atom on one side, for instance if a carbon was connected to 2 H molecules, then it doesn't matter which one is on the top or bottom because both will produce the same molecule. In this case, it is not possible to say whether it is cis (Z) or trans (E). However, if it is possible to determine whether a molecule is Z or E, then yes, I think you are supposed to indicate which one it is in the name of the molecule.
Hope that helped!