Question

Name the 5 different structural isomers of hexane.

Answer 1

Structural isomerism

• Isomers are compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural formula.
• The isomers differing in their atomic arrangement of the molecules without any kind of reference to the spatial arrangement are known as the structural isomers. The phenomenon of these structural isomers is called structural isomerism.
• There are three types of Structural isomerism existing namely chain isomerism, position isomerism and functional group isomerism.

Isomerism in Hexane

• Hexane is a hydrocarbon compound having molecular formula ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{14}$
• Hexane can form 5 different types of isomers.

Hexane has five isomers:

• Hexane, ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_3$ a straight chain of six carbon atoms.
• 2-Methylpentane (Isohexane)a five-carbon chain with one methyl branch on the second.

:

2-Methylpentane (Isohexane)

• 3-Methylpentane, a five-carbon chain with one methyl branch on the third.

3-Methylpentane

• 2,3-Dimethylbutane, a four-carbon chain with one methyl branch on the second and third.

2,3-Dimethylbutane

• 2,2-Dimethylbutane (neohexane), a four-carbon chain with two methyl branches on the second.

2,2-Dimethylbutane

Thus, Hexane can form 5 different types of isomers.