In chemistry, isomers (from Greek ισομεÏης, isomerès; isos = "equal", méros = "part") are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical isomers, etc. (see chart below). There are two[citation needed] main forms of isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism (spatial isomerism).
Isomers are different compounds that share the same molecular formula. There are two major types of isomers: constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. Constitutional isomers are "different compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the sequence in which their atoms are bonded, that is, their connectivity" (Solomons and Fryhle, 6). These structural differences typically give rise to differences in the physical and chemical properties of constitutional isomers.
For example, acetone and propylene oxide and acetone are constitutional isomers. Both compounds have the molecular formula C3H6O; however, the connectivity of the atoms is very different. The structural formula of acetone is C3H6O, while the structural formula of propylene oxide is CH3CHCH2O. A striking difference between these compounds is the central carbon atom of acetone connects to the oxygen via a double bond, while the propylene oxide contains no double bond but rather has three atoms joined in a ring. To be certain, the constitutions of these compounds are different.
Works Cited
Solomons, Thomas W., and Craig B. Fryhle. Organic Chemistry. 10th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. Print.
Just about any compound with more than 3 atoms can exist as a different constitutional isomer.
Indicate whether each of the following pairs represent constitutional isomers, the same compound, or different compounds 2-methoxybutane and 3-methyl-2-butanol
8 possible constitutional isomers
Butane and isobutane are isomers or compounds that have the same chemical fomula but different structual formulas.
The general formula of octyne is C8H14; 14 hydrogen atoms.
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Compounds that have the same atoms (molecular formula) but different in the connectivity between the atoms are constitutional (formerly 'structural') isomers.
Indicate whether each of the following pairs represent constitutional isomers, the same compound, or different compounds 2-methoxybutane and 3-methyl-2-butanol
Organic compounds that have identical molecular formulas but different structural formulas are called isomers.
8 possible constitutional isomers
Butane and isobutane are isomers or compounds that have the same chemical fomula but different structual formulas.
The general formula of octyne is C8H14; 14 hydrogen atoms.
2
They are metamers but not position isomers
Information about isomers can be found in all chemistry text books. Isomers are compounds which have the same molecular layout but have a different structure.
Isomers have the same chemical formulas, but different structures. They can be drastically different in structure, such as constitutional isomers, which differ in the way that certain groups are linked to a carbon back bone. They can be very subtly different as well, such as stereo isomers, which are almost completely same except for their biological activities and interactions with plane polarized light.
Constitutional isomers
Two compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas are isomers of each other.