Chemistry - STEREO ISOMERISM Question with Solution | TestHub

Solution:

Maleic acid and fumaric acid are geometrical isomers (specifically, cis-trans isomers). They both have the molecular formula C₄H₄O₄ and the structural formula HOOC-CH=CH-COOH. The difference lies in the spatial arrangement of the two carboxyl groups (-COOH) around the carbon-carbon double bond.

Maleic acid is the cis isomer, where both -COOH groups are on the same side of the double bond.

Fumaric acid is the trans isomer, where the -COOH groups are on opposite sides of the double bond.

This type of isomerism, arising from restricted rotation around a double bond, is known as geometrical isomerism.