Cis/trans isomerism (
geometric isomerism,
configurational isomerism) is a term used in
organic chemistry to refer to the
stereoisomerism engendered in the
relative orientation of
functional groups within a molecule. It is not to be confused with
E/Z isomerism, which is an
absolute stereochemical description, and only to be used with alkenes. In general, such isomers contain
double bonds that cannot rotate, or they may contain ring structures, where the rotation of bonds is restricted or eliminated. Cis and trans
isomers occur both in organic molecules and in inorganic coordination complexes. Cis and trans descriptors are not used for cases of
conformational isomerism where the two geometric forms easily interconvert, such as most open-chain single-bonded structures; instead, the terms “syn” and “anti” would be used.