Correct order of stability is :

74 2000 AIPMT HydrocarbonsStability of Alkenes Medium
Correct order of stability is :
A 1-butene > trans-2-butene > cis-2-butene
B trans-2-butene > 1-butene > cis-2-butene
C trans-2-butene > cis-2-butene > 1-butene
D cis-2-butene > trans-2-butene > 1-butene

Detailed Solution

More substituted alkenes are more stable, because of hyperconjugation by the alkyl groups. 2-Butene (disubstituted) is more stable than 1-butene (monosubstituted).
Between the two 2-butenes, the trans isomer is more stable than the cis isomer, because in the cis form the two methyl groups are on the same side and repel each other (steric strain).
This is confirmed by heats of hydrogenation: 1-butene 127, cis-2-butene 120 and trans-2-butene 116 kJ/mol (less heat means more stable).
So the order is trans-2-butene $\gt$ cis-2-butene $\gt$ 1-butene.

Hydrocarbons in past papers

75 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.

Keep going

Practise Hydrocarbons All 75 questions This chapter in 2000 AIPMT