82 Views

what is structural isomerism ?


BROTHER Gaming 23rd Jun, 2021
Answer (1)
Virat Srivastava 23rd Jun, 2021

Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula, but have a different arrangement of the atoms. That excludes any different arrangements which are simply due to the molecule rotating as a whole, or rotating about particular bonds. For example: Butane. There are endless possible ways that the molecule could twist itself. There is completely free rotation around all the carbon-carbon single bonds. If you had a model of a molecule in front of you, you would have to take it to pieces and rebuild it if you wanted to make an isomer of that molecule. If you can make an apparently different molecule just by rotating single bonds, it's not different - it's still the same molecule.

In structural isomerism, the atoms are arranged in a completely different order. The different types of structural isomerism are:

  • Chain isomerism: It arises because of the possibility of branching in carbon chains. Example: C4H10. One is branched and other is straight chain.
  • Position isomerism: In position isomerism, the basic carbon skeleton remains unchanged, but important groups are moved around that structure like halogen, acid, etc group. Example: C3H7Br
  • Functional group isomerism: In structural isomerism, the isomers contain different functional groups - that is, they belong to different families of compounds (different homologous series). Example: C3H6O  could be either propanal (an aldehyde) or propanone (a ketone).

Related Questions

Amity University, Noida Law A...
Apply
700+ Campus placements at top national and global law firms, corporates and judiciaries
Amity University, Noida BBA A...
Apply
Ranked amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
VIT Bhopal University | M.Tec...
Apply
M.Tech admissions open @ VIT Bhopal University | Highest CTC 52 LPA | Apply now
Amity University | M.Tech Adm...
Apply
Ranked amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings).
Graphic Era (Deemed to be Uni...
Apply
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed
Amity University Noida B.Tech...
Apply
Among Top 30 National Universities for Engineering (NIRF 2024) | 30+ Specializations | AI Powered Learning & State-of-the-Art Facilities
View All Application Forms

Download the Careers360 App on your Android phone

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

150M+ Students
30,000+ Colleges
500+ Exams
1500+ E-books