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Organic Chemistry

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Isomerism

Isomerism

Some organic compounds have a similar molecular formula, but they are different based on the properties they exhibit; this phenomenon is called isomerism. Such compounds are called isomers. Isomerism is classified into two types.

  1. Structural Isomerism
  2. Stereoisomerism

Structural Isomerism

This is the phenomenon that has isomers with different connectivity of atoms. The constitutional organic compounds are called structural isomers. Structural Isomerism is further classified; they are discussed below:

Chain Isomerism

The structural isomers which have different length of carbon chain are called chain isomerism.

Example:

Butane and iso-butane

n-butyl alcohol and Isobutyl alcohol

Position Isomerism

The structural isomers in which there is a difference in the position of a functional group or multiple bonds along the same chain of carbon atoms are called positional isomerism.

Example:

1-chloropropane and 2-chloropropane

1-propanol and 2-propanol

Ring chain Isomerism

The structural isomers in which there is a difference in carbon chain or ring are called ring chain isomerism.

Example: propene, Cyclopropane

Functional group Isomerism

The structural isomers which has different functional group are called functional isomers.

Example:

Metamerism

The phenomenon in which the isomers are formed due to the unequal distribution of alkyl substituents around a functional group is called metamerism.

Example: 2-pentanone and 3-pentanone, diethylamine and methyl propylamine

Tautomerism

Tautomerism is the special type of isomerism which arises due to the transfer of hydrogen atom from an atom to another atom. The isomeric compounds are called tautomers. They exist in dynamic equilibrium.

Example: vinyl alcohol and acetaldehyde, acetone and isopropenyl alcohol

Ethyl alcohol and Dimethyl ether.

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