Question

Give four characteristics of structural isomers.

Answer 1

Structural isomers:

• A structural isomer is one in which two or more organic compounds have the same molecular formula but different structures.
• Constitutional isomerism is a term used to describe structural isomerism.
• The functional groups and atoms in these isomers' molecules are linked in various ways.
• Because structural isomers may or may not include the same functional group, they are given different IUPAC designations.
• These are also known as constitutional isomers.

Characteristics of structural isomers:

• The characteristics of structural isomers depend on the type of structural isomer.
• On the basis of type, they are classified as skeletal isomers, positional isomers, and functional group isomers.
• Skeletal isomers or chain isomers are the ones in which components of the chain are arranged in a different order.
• Position isomer or regioisomer is the constitutional isomer in which a functional group changes position on a parent structure.
• Functional group isomerism is the structural isomers with the same molecular formula, but in which the atoms are connected differently.

Examples of structural isomers:

• The structure of propane $\left({\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}\right)$ is a straightforward example of a structural isomer with many isomers.
• The structural isomers increase as the number of carbon atoms in the alkane molecule increases.