2007-09-06 07:28:10 · 2 answers · asked by John D 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Yes. The two central carbons, because they cannot rotate around the double bond, might have the methyl groups (which is where the question lies) on the same side of the double bond, or on opposite sides.
2007-09-06 07:33:43 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is clearly a homework problem. Let's look at the structure and figure it out.
On the left side of the double bond is a carbon bonded to a H and to a Methyl group. The same is seen on the carbon on the right side of the double bond.
This shows that the two methyl groups can be either on the same side of the double bond (CIS style) or they can be on the opposite side of teh double bond (TRANS style).
In principal either cis or trans isomers can form. Because the methyl group is larger than the H, I would suspect that the trans isomer would be more favorable because the cis isomer would require both methyl groups to be on the same side and they may interfere with each other. Were there a very bulky group (e.g. a tert Butyl group) instead of a methyl, the trans isomer should be markedly favored.
2007-09-06 07:45:36 · answer #2 · answered by GTB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋