Question

What kind of isomerism is shown by Alkanes?

Answer 1

Isomerism:

• The phenomenon in which two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas is called isomerism.
• Alkanes are saturated open-chain hydrocarbons having $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}$ single bonds.
• The general formula for alkanes can be given as follows: ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$ where, n refers to the number of Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atoms.
• Structural isomerism can be seen by all alkanes having four or more carbon atoms, indicating that there are two or more different structural formulas that we can draw for each molecular formula.
• Chain isomerism: Two or more compounds which have a similar molecular formula but different arrangement of carbon atoms in straight or branched chains are called chain isomerism.
• For example Butane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}\right)$ has two Isomers: