trans alkenes

[inaccensa]

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They keep saying that trans are more stable. I'm guessing the reason is that it has no net dipole, so they are not as reactive as cis alkenes. Additionally there are no steric interferences. They pack more easily due to symmetry,what exactly does that refer to? Does this mean that 2 substituents on opp side make the molecule more symmetrical?

 

[loveoforganic]

It doesn't have to do with the dipole, just the lack of steric interference.