Z,E vs cis trans

[theedaddy77]

just to be sure, if you are comparing only 2 different groups (like 2H, and 2CL) then you would use Cis tand trans but if it is more than 2 groups you would do Z,E (like 2Cl,f,and H)?

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[userah]

yup that is correct. More than 2 groups is E/Z and 2 or below is cis/trans

 

[Sea of ASH]

how i look at it is that, if the carbons that participate in the bond in question BOTH have an Hydrogen then we use cis and trans, if not use E and Z (for a polysubstituded double bond)

can someone validate this so i can sleep better at night? its kinda a rule i came up with just by noticing the patterns instead of using the traditional meaning.

 

[Sea of ASH]

also as good website to understand it better:

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/basicorg/isomerism/ez.html#top