Thalidomide is actually a racemic mixture, which means it consists of both cis and trans isomers. The cis isomer is responsible for its sedative properties, while the trans isomer is believed to be responsible for its teratogenic effects. To determine whether a molecule is a cis or a trans isomer, you need to analyze its molecular structure. In the case of thalidomide, it contains two double bonds, and the orientation of the substituents on these double bonds determines whether it is cis or trans. Analyzing the structure of thalidomide would require a visual representation, such as a molecular model or a 3D rendering program, to determine the orientation of the substituents accurately.
