Question

Write structural formulas for trans-3-heptene and cis-3- heptene.

Short answer

The structural formula for trans-3-heptene is

Trans-3-Heptene

The structural formula for cis-3-heptene is

Cis-3-heptene

Step-by-step solution

Cis-trans isomers

The molecule has the same molecular formula as butane but a different bonding structure is referred to as geometrical isomers. The number of possible geometrical isomers increases rapidly with an increase inthe number of carbon atoms.

Step 2: Trans-3-Heptene

The name suggests that the compound has the longest continuous chain of seven carbon atoms. There is one double bond at the third position of the chain. The trans isomer refers to where bonding groups are on the opposite side of the double bond. The structure is as shown:

Trans-3-Heptene

Cis-3-heptene

The name suggests that the compound has the longest continuous chain of seven carbon atoms. There is one double bond at the third position of the chain. The cis isomer refers to where the bonding groups are on the same side of the double bond, The structure is as shown:

Cis-3-heptene