Z2buteno

Z2buteno is a nonstandard chemical designation that appears in limited or context-specific sources. It is not a universally accepted IUPAC name, and its exact meaning can vary depending on the author or database. In many cases, Z2buteno is used as a shorthand that could refer to one of two different four‑carbon, unsaturated species, each with a Z (cis) configuration around a double bond.

One possible interpretation is cis-2-butene, with the structure CH3-CH=CH-CH3. This is a simple alkene and a common hydrocarbon feedstock in chemical manufacturing. Another interpretation, more distinct, is 2-butenone (methyl vinyl ketone), with the structure CH2=CH-CO-CH3, an enone used in various polymerization and synthetic applications. These two compounds have different reactivities, physical states, and safety profiles, so a Z2buteno label in isolation does not convey sufficient information.

Due to the ambiguity, contemporary usage generally favors explicit structural descriptors or modern stereochemical notation (for example, Z-2-butene or 2-butenone) to avoid confusion. When encountered, it is advisable to consult the primary source or accompanying structural information to determine which specific compound is being referred to.

See also: cis-2-butene; 2-butenone; enones; vinyl ketones.