cis2cyclopentene

cis-2-cyclopentene is a cyclic alkene with the chemical formula C5H8. It is one of the structural isomers of cyclopentene, specifically referring to the stereoisomer where the hydrogen atoms attached to the double bond are on the same side of the ring. Its IUPAC name is (Z)-cyclopent-1-ene, though cis-2-cyclopentene is commonly used in older literature or specific contexts. The molecule consists of a five-membered carbon ring with one double bond. The presence of the double bond makes the ring slightly less planar than a fully saturated cyclopentane ring. This compound is a colorless liquid at room temperature.

cis-2-cyclopentene is a reactive molecule due to the presence of the carbon-carbon double bond. It can undergo typical alkene reactions such as addition reactions, including hydrogenation, halogenation, and hydrohalogenation. These reactions typically occur across the double bond. The cyclic structure also imparts some specific reactivity patterns. Due to ring strain, it may exhibit different reaction rates compared to acyclic alkenes of similar size. It can be synthesized through various organic reactions, often involving elimination reactions from suitable cyclopentane derivatives. Its properties and reactivity make it a useful building block in organic synthesis for creating more complex cyclic molecules. It is not a widely occurring natural product but can be found in specific chemical contexts or synthesized for research purposes.