We read your photo as:

How many geometrical isomers are possible in the following two alkenes? (I) CH3–CH=CH–CH=CH–CH3 (II) CH3–CH=CH–CH=CH–Cl

Chemistry

ScanSolve AI Answer

Step-by-step solution

3 steps

To determine the number of geometrical isomers (cis-trans isomers), we need to identify the number of double bonds that can exhibit cis-trans isomerism. A double bond can show cis-trans isomerism if each carbon atom of the double bond is attached to two different groups.

For a molecule with nn different double bonds capable of cis-trans isomerism, the maximum number of geometrical isomers is 2n2^n. However, if the molecule is symmetrical, the number of isomers might be less than 2n2^n.

  1. Analyze molecule (i) CH3−CH=CH−CH=CH−CH3\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}_3.

    This molecule has two double bonds. Let's label them as C2=C3\text{C}_2=\text{C}_3 and C4=C5\text{C}_4=\text{C}_5.

    • For C2=C3\text{C}_2=\text{C}_3: The C2\text{C}_2 is attached to CH3\text{CH}_3 and H\text{H}. The C3\text{C}_3 is attached to H\text{H} and CH=CH−CH3\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}_3. Both carbons have two different groups, so this double bond can exhibit cis-trans isomerism.
    • For C4=C5\text{C}_4=\text{C}_5: The C4\text{C}_4 is attached to CH3\text{CH}_3 and H\text{H}. The C5\text{C}_5 is attached to H\text{H} and CH=CH−CH3\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}_3. Both carbons have two different groups, so this double bond can exhibit cis-trans isomerism. This molecule is symmetrical. The general formula for the number of geometrical isomers for a symmetrical polyene with nn double bonds is 2n−1+2(n/2)−12^{n-1} + 2^{(n/2)-1} if nn is even. Here, n=2n=2. Number of isomers =22−1+2(2/2)−1=21+21−1=21+20=2+1=3= 2^{2-1} + 2^{(2/2)-1} = 2^1 + 2^{1-1} = 2^1 + 2^0 = 2 + 1 = 3. The three isomers are:
    1. cis, cis
    2. trans, trans
    3. cis, trans (which is identical to trans, cis due to symmetry)
  2. Analyze molecule (ii) CH3−CH=CH−CH=CH−Cl\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{Cl}.

    This molecule also has two double bonds. Let's label them as C2=C3\text{C}_2=\text{C}_3 and C4=C5\text{C}_4=\text{C}_5.

    • For C2=C3\text{C}_2=\text{C}_3: The C2\text{C}_2 is attached to CH3\text{CH}_3 and H\text{H}. The C3\text{C}_3 is attached to H\text{H} and CH=CH−Cl\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{Cl}. Both carbons have two different groups, so this double bond can exhibit cis-trans isomerism.
    • For C4=C5\text{C}_4=\text{C}_5: The C4\text{C}_4 is attached to H\text{H} and CH=CH−CH3\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}_3. The C5\text{C}_5 is attached to H\text{H} and Cl\text{Cl}. Both carbons have two different groups, so this double bond can exhibit cis-trans isomerism. This molecule is unsymmetrical. For an unsymmetrical polyene with nn double bonds, the number of geometrical isomers is 2n2^n. Here, n=2n=2. Number of isomers =22=4= 2^2 = 4. The four isomers are:
    1. cis, cis
    2. cis, trans
    3. trans, cis
    4. trans, trans
  3. Compare with the given options.

    Molecule (i) has 3 geometrical isomers.
    Molecule (ii) has 4 geometrical isomers.
    The correct option should be 3 and 4.

    The final answer is (4) 3 and 4\boxed{\text{(4) 3 and 4}}.

Was this helpful?

Still stuck on this one?

Ask a follow-up, and the answer starts from this question.

Got a different question?Ask your own question
Handwritten step-by-step solution preview

Handwritten Step-by-Step Solution

Get this as a handwritten image on WhatsApp — like a tutor wrote it for you.

Try on WhatsApp