Question

$C{H}_3-CHO$ and $C{H}_2=CHOH$ are a pair of

• A. position isomers
• B. chain isomers
• C. tautomers
• D. metamers

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

tautomers

If an aldehyde possesses at least one hydrogen atom on the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group, called the alpha (α) carbon, this hydrogen can migrate to the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group. The double bond then migrates to the α-carbon. As a result, a carbonyl compound with an α-hydrogen can exist in two isomeric forms, called tautomers. In the keto form, the hydrogen is bonded to the α-carbon, while in the enol form it is bonded to the carbonyl oxygen with the migration of the double bond.