5.2 Geometric Isomers and E/Z Naming System

Geometric Isomers of Alkenes

In the discussions about 1,2-dimethylcyclohexane in Chapter 4, we have learned that there are two geometric isomers possible for that compound, that are cis and trans. The restricted C-C bond rotation of cyclic structure result in the cis or trans isomer of 1,2-dimethylcyclohexane. Restricted rotation also can be caused by a double bond, so geometric isomers apply to some alkenes as well.

Figure 5.2a Geometric isomers of disubstituted cycloalkanes

For the example of 2-butene, the condensed structural formula CH₃-CH=CH-CH₃does not really represent the trigonal planar shape of the sp² carbons with double bonds. To show the shape explicitly, we need to draw the Kekulé structure that show all the bond angles. Then it will be noticed that there are two different shapes of 2-butene, with the CH₃ groups on either the same side or opposite side of the double bond.

Figure 5.2b Geometric isomers of some alkenes

They are geometric isomers and can be labelled as cis or trans in a similar way as disubstituted cycloalkane. Cis/trans is the common designation for geometric isomers and might be ambiguous for some structures, here we will learn the IUPAC naming system for geometric isomers of alkene, that is the E/Z naming system.

E/Z Naming System

To do the E/Z designation, at first, the groups connected on each sp²double bond carbon will be assigned the priority based on the atomic number (see following guidelines for details), then the isomer with same priority group on the same side of double bond is assigned as “Z”, and the isomer with the same priority group on the opposite side of double bond is called “E”. Both E and Z come from German, “Zusammen” means same side and “Entgegen” means opposite.

The guidelines for assigning group priority in E/Z naming system

1. Priority is assigned based on the atomic number of the atoms bonded directly to the sp² double bond carbon, the larger the atomic number, the higher the priority (isotopes with higher mass number has higher priority). For example: S > O > N > C > H.

For the above structure of 2-penetene: on the left side sp² carbon, methyl group CH₃ is higher than hydrogen atom because C > H; on the right side sp² carbon, ethyl group CH₂CH₃, is also higher than hydrogen. With higher priority group on both side of the double bond, this is the Z isomer, the complete name of the compound is (Z)-2-pentene.

The group withhigher priority is labelled as #1, and the group with lower priority is labelled as #2 in this book.

2. If the two groups bonded directly on an sp² carbon start with the same atom, means there is a tie from step 1, then we move on to the atoms that connected to the “tied” atom, priority increases as the atomic number of the next attached atom increases.

For the above structure, it is obvious that Cl is higher than C (C of CH₂CH₃ group) on the right side sp² carbon.

On the left side sp² carbon, we need to compare between methyl CH₃ group and ethyl CH₂CH₃ group. Both groups has carbon atom attached directly on the sp² carbon, that is a tie. In CH₃ group, the carbon atom is bonded to H, H, H; while in CH₂CH₃group, the carbon atom is bonded with H, H, C. So ethyl CH₂CH₃ is higher than methyl CH₃ (see Note below). With higher priority group on opposite side of the double bond, this is the E isomer, the complete name of the compound is: (E)-3-chloro-4-methyl-3-hexene.

Note #1: For this round of comparison between H, H, H and H, H, C, compare the single atom with the greatest number in one group verse the single atom with the greatest number in the other group. So H in one group verse C in the other group, since C > H, therefore CH₂CH₃ is higher than CH₃. Remember do not add the atomic numbers. For example, if one group has C, C, C, and the other group has C, O, H, then the C, O, H side is higher because O is higher than C.

Note #2: The above compound is cis-isomer if using the cis/trans naming system (both ethyl group are on the same side of double bond), but is E-isomer for E/Z system. So the cis/trans and E/Z are two different naming systems, don’t always match.

3. Repeat step 2 if necessary, until the priority is assigned.

Examples: What is the correct structural formula of (E)-2-bromo-3-chloro-2-butene?

A=CH3 (upper left), CH3 (upper right), br (lower left), & cl (lower right), B=CH3's are opposite (upper left & lower right)

The answer is B.

Examples: Draw the structure of (E)-3-methyl-2-pentene

Answer:

H (upper left), CH2CH3 (upper right), CH3 (lower right), & CH3 (lower right)

Examples: Order the following groups based on increasing priority.

Approach:

1^st round: C, C, C, C (tie);

2^nd round:

A: C bonded to C, C, C; (3^rd)

B: C bonded to H, Cl, Cl; (Cl is the 2^nd high)

C: C bonded to H, C, C; (4^th)

D: C bonded to H, H, Br (Br is the highest)

Solution: C < A < B < D

Exercises 5.1

Order the following groups based on decreasing priority for E/Z naming purpose.

A=-CH2CH2Br, B=-CH2CH3, C=-CH(CH3)2, D=-C(CH3)3

Answers to Practice Questions Chapter 5

4. When multiple bond is part of the group, the multiple bond is treated as if it was singly bonded to multiple of those atoms. Specifically:

CCH on blue C, CCCon blue C, & OOH on blue C

For these three groups involve multiple bonds, they all start with the carbon atom (the carbon atom highlighted in blue color), and we should compare the group of atoms that connected on the blue carbon by converting the multiple bond to “multiple single bonds”, as shown above. So, if we compare the order of these three groups, it is:

CCH on blue C < CCC on blue C < OOH on blue C

Examples: Assign E/Z of the circled double bond.

HOCH2 (upper left), HC=CH2 (upper right), HC(three bonds to)C (lower left), & CH2CH3 (lower right)

Thinking:

The answer is: Z-isomer.

5.3 Chirality and R/S Naming System

Chemistry

Notes

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5.2 Geometric Isomers and E/Z Naming System

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