Identify the following alkenes as E or Z, if appropriate.
(b)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Examine the structure of the alkene provided. The molecule is a cyclic alkene with a double bond in an 8-membered ring.
2. Determine the substituents attached to the double bond. In this case, the double bond is part of the ring, and the substituents are the two halves of the ring.
3. Apply the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules to assign priorities to the groups attached to the double bond. For cyclic alkenes, the priority is determined by the size and connectivity of the ring segments.
4. Check the spatial arrangement of the higher-priority groups on each side of the double bond. If the higher-priority groups are on the same side, the configuration is Z (zusammen, German for 'together'). If they are on opposite sides, the configuration is E (entgegen, German for 'opposite').
5. Conclude whether the alkene is E or Z based on the analysis. For cyclic alkenes, the geometry is often constrained by the ring size, which can influence the configuration.

Key Concepts

E/Z Configuration

E/Z configuration is a method used to describe the stereochemistry of alkenes based on the priority of substituents attached to the double bond. The 'E' (entgegen) designation indicates that the highest priority groups are on opposite sides, while 'Z' (zusammen) indicates they are on the same side. This system is crucial for understanding the geometric isomerism in alkenes.

Cahn-Ingold-Prelog Priority Rules

The Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) priority rules are used to assign priority to substituents based on atomic number and connectivity. The atom with the higher atomic number gets higher priority. If the first atoms are the same, the priority is determined by the next atoms in the substituent chain. This is essential for determining E/Z configurations accurately.

Cycloalkenes

Cycloalkenes are cyclic hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The ring structure can influence the spatial arrangement of substituents, making the identification of E/Z configurations particularly important. Understanding the geometry of cycloalkenes is key to analyzing their stereochemistry and reactivity.