Question

Three different compounds with the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) are known. (a) Two of these compounds are geometric isomers. Draw their structures. (b) The third compound is a structural isomer of the other two. Draw its structure.

Short answer

There are two geometric isomers: cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene, and one structural isomer: 1,1-dichloroethene.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Geometric Isomers

Geometric isomers are compounds with the same structural formula but different spatial arrangement of atoms. In the case of C2H2Cl2, the difference lies in the positioning of the chlorine atoms around the carbon-carbon double bond.

Drawing Geometric Isomers

For C2H2Cl2, draw two geometric isomers where two chlorine atoms are attached to the double-bonded carbon atoms. One is the cis-isomer where both chlorine atoms are on the same side. The other is the trans-isomer where the chlorine atoms are on opposite sides: \[ \text{Cis-isomer: } \begin{array}{c} \mathrm{Cl} \quad \quad \ \mathrm{Cl} \ \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \C=C \ \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \mathrm{H} \quad \quad \ \mathrm{H} \end{array} \] \[ \text{Trans-isomer: } \begin{array}{c} \mathrm{Cl} \quad \quad \ \mathrm{H} \ \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \C=C \ \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \ \quad \mathrm{H} \quad \quad \ \mathrm{Cl} \end{array} \]

Understanding Structural Isomers

Structural isomers have different connectivity of atoms within the molecule. For C2H2Cl2, a possible structural isomer occurs when the chlorine atoms are attached to the same carbon atom, turning it into a dichloromethane derivative.

Drawing Structural Isomer

The third compound, a structural isomer of the previous two, has both chlorine atoms attached to the same carbon, resulting in the following structure: \[ \begin{array}{c} \mathrm{H} \ \quad \ \quad \mathrm{Cl} \ \ \quad \ \quad \quad \C=C \ \ \quad \ \quad \quad \mathrm{H} \ \quad \ \quad \mathrm{Cl} \end{array} \]

Key concepts

Geometric Isomers

Geometric isomers, also known as cis-trans isomers, feature the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms. This difference arises in molecules with restrictions in rotation, typically around double bonds or due to a ring structure. For the compound \(\text{C}_2\text{H}_2\text{Cl}_2\), geometric isomerism occurs because of the positioning of the chlorine atoms around the carbon-carbon double bond.

To visualize this, let's consider two possibilities:

• Cis-isomer: In this structure, both chlorine atoms are positioned on the same side of the double bond. This results in a bent or V-shaped configuration.
• Trans-isomer: Here, the chlorine atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond, leading to a more linear or zig-zagged shape.

These configurations impact the molecule's polarity and physical properties, such as melting and boiling points, which differ between cis and trans isomers due to the spatial arrangement affecting intermolecular forces.

Structural Isomers

Structural isomers, also known as constitutional isomers, differ from one another in the connectivity of the atoms. This means that while they share the same molecular formula, the order in which the atoms are bonded to each other varies. This variation can result in significantly different chemical and physical properties.

For \(\text{C}_2\text{H}_2\text{Cl}_2\), a structural isomer is obtained when both chlorine atoms attach to the same carbon atom. This results in a different type of molecule, contrasting from those with a double-bonded carbon arrangement:

• In this structural isomer, the composition \(\text{CHCl}_2\text{CH}_2\) is formed, where both chlorine atoms are bonded to one carbon, and the hydrogens are bonded to the other. This setup drastically changes the characteristics compared to geometric isomers.

This distinction in connectivity influences reactivity patterns, density, and even the spectroscopic signatures of the compound.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry describes the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. This concept is crucial because it determines how a molecule interacts with other molecules, influencing its reactivity, phase behavior, and biological activity.

In our case study of \(\text{C}_2\text{H}_2\text{Cl}_2\):

• For geometric isomers, the molecular geometry differs based on the spatial arrangement of the chlorine atoms around the double bond. The cis isomer tends to have a polar bent shape, while the trans isomer presents a more symmetrical and often non-polar linear shape.
• For the structural isomer, where chlorines are attached to the same carbon, the geometry reverts to that typically seen in alkanes with sp3 hybridized carbon atoms where the structure is more tetrahedral around the concerned carbon.

Understanding these geometrical distinctions is important for predicting physical attributes like solubility and melting points, as well as the chemical behavior during reactions.