Question

What is isomerism? Name the kind of isomerism shown by alkanes

Answer 1

Part:1

1. Isomerism is the property of isomers.
2. The existence of two or more different organic compounds consisting of the same molecular formula but having different structures is known as isomerism.
3. Isomerism is possible only when hydrocarbon consists of 4 or more Carbon atoms.

Part:2

1. The isomerism shown by Alkanes is called chain isomerism.
2. In chain isomerism, the components of these isomers display differently branched structures.
3. Butane exhibits the two chain isomers: Normal Butane and iso-Butane

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_3 \\ \mathrm{n}-\mathrm{Butane}\left({\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}\right) \\ (\mathrm{Straight}\mathrm{chain}) \end{gathered}$$ $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CH}-{\mathrm{CH}}_3 \\ | \\ {\mathrm{CH}}_3 \\ \mathrm{Iso}-\mathrm{Butane}({\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}) \\ \mathrm{or} \\ 2-\mathrm{Methyl}\mathrm{Propane} \\ (\mathrm{Branched}\mathrm{chain}) \end{gathered}$$