is 2-methyl-2-pentene capable of forming cis/trans isomers
This site says no.
http://www.docbrown.info/page06/AlkeneStructure.htm
Yes, 2-methyl-2-pentene (also known as 2-methylpent-2-ene) is capable of forming cis/trans isomers. To determine this, we need to analyze the structure of the molecule.
First, let's consider the structure of 2-methyl-2-pentene:
CH3 ─ CH ─ CH2 ─ CH(CH3) ─ CH3
There is a double bond (─) between the carbon atoms labeled as "CH" and "CH2". This means that there are two different substituent groups on each of the carbon atoms. In this case, one substituent group is a methyl group (CH3) and the other is a hydrogen atom (H).
Now, cis/trans isomers are possible when there are different groups attached to the carbon atoms on either side of the double bond. In other words, for cis/trans isomers to exist, there must be two different substituent groups on each of the carbon atoms connected by the double bond.
In the case of 2-methyl-2-pentene, there is a methyl (CH3) group and a hydrogen (H) atom on one side of the double bond, and on the other side, there is another methyl (CH3) group and a hydrogen (H) atom. Since there are two different groups on each of the carbon atoms connected by the double bond, 2-methyl-2-pentene is capable of forming cis/trans isomers.
In conclusion, yes, 2-methyl-2-pentene is capable of forming cis/trans isomers because it has two different groups attached to the carbon atoms on either side of the double bond.