Question

Sorbic acid is used to prevent mold and fungus growth in some food products, especially cheeses. The systematic name for sorbic acid is2,4_-hexadienoic acid. Draw structures for the four geometric isomers of sorbic acid.

Short answer

Structure for the four geometric isomers of sorbic acid are as follows

Step-by-step solution

To draw the structure for four geometric isomers

To be able to draw the geometrical isomers of sorbic acid (2,4-hexadienoic acid), we must remember that based on the systematic name of the compound, it is composed of six carbons, one carboxylic functional group, and double bonds in its second and fourth positioned carbons.

We must also remember that geometrical isomers or cis-trans isomers have the same formula, bonds, and connectivity. The only difference is the orientation of atoms about a C=C double bond.

Note that cis-isomers have the major functional groups oriented at the same side while trans-isomers are oriented oppositely about the C=C double bond. Hence, using these data, we can draw the geometrical isomers of sorbic acid.

Structure of the four isomers

Hence the structure for the four geometric isomers of sorbic acid is shown above.