6 2.2 Geometric Isomers and E/Z Naming System
Chapter 2.2 Learning Objectives
- Apply the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules to assign priorities to groups attached to sp2 carbon atoms.
- Name the given alkene as E or Z.
2.2.1 Geometric Isomers of Alkenes
In the discussions about 1,2-dimethylcyclohexane, 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.
For the example of 2-butene, the condensed structural formula CH3-CH=CH-CH3 does 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.
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.
2.2.2 E/Z Naming System
To do the E/Z designation, at first, the groups connected on each sp2 double 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.
2.2.3 Guidelines for Assigning Group Priority in E/Z Nomenclature
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-pentene: 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 with higher priority is labelled as #1, and the group with lower priority is labelled as #2 in this book.
Alternately, the groups with higher priority can be labeled high and the groups of lower priority can be labeled low.
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 CH2CH3 group, 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.
Additional Resource:
Watch this video that provides an excellent summary of the E/Z naming of alkenes using Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules.
Examples: What is the correct structural formula of (E)-2-bromo-3-chloro-2-butene?
The answer is B.
Examples: Draw the structure of (E)-3-methyl-2-pentene
Answer:
Examples: Order the following groups based on increasing priority.
Approach:
1st round: C, C, C, C (tie);
2nd round:
A: C bonded to C, C, C; (3rd)
B: C bonded to H, Cl, Cl; (Cl is the 2nd high)
C: C bonded to H, C, C; (4th)
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.
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:
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: xxxxx
Examples: Assign E/Z of the circled double bond.
Thinking:
free rotation of 360 degrees is not possible due to geometric constraints
