cis-Stilbene

cis-Stilbene is the Z geometric isomer of 1,2-diphenylethene, with two phenyl groups on the same side of the central carbon–carbon double bond. Its molecular formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_{14}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$ and its CAS identifier is 645-49-8. The NIST identity record explicitly distinguishes it from trans-Stilbene.^[ref]

Each carbon of the central double bond bears a phenyl group and a hydrogen atom. Under the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules, the carbon-attached phenyl group has higher priority than hydrogen at each end. The two higher-priority groups lie on the same side, giving Z. This explains why the cis and Z descriptions agree for this molecule; it does not make the two naming systems interchangeable for every substituted alkene.

The central connectivity can be written ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5-\mathrm{CH}=\mathrm{CH}-{\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5$. Changing its geometric arrangement does not alter the count of fourteen carbons and twelve hydrogens. A molecular mass measurement consistent with that formula therefore cannot by itself distinguish the cis and trans isomers.

For an original amount calculation, $0.100\mathrm{mmol}$ corresponds to approximately 18.0 mg using the recorded molar mass. A pure cis sample, a pure trans sample and a cis/trans mixture can all have that same total amount and elemental composition. Determining the mixture requires an observation sensitive to structure or a separation that resolves its components, rather than simply weighing it more precisely.

The important scientific distinction is between identifying a formula and identifying a stereoisomer. An experimental assignment should connect its measured response to appropriate reference information and stated sample conditions. The registry's specific structural identifier fixes which isomer the name denotes; it does not independently establish the purity of a particular laboratory sample.