Question

Methoxy Methane and Ethanol Are

• A. Chain isomers
• B. Position isomers
• C. Optical isomers
• D. Functional isomers

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Functional isomers

Explanation of correct answer

Option D Functional isomers

• The compounds having the same molecular formula but different structures and hence different physical and chemical properties are called isomers.
• The phenomenon of the existence of such compounds is known as isomerism.
• Functional Isomerism is a type of structural isomerism, in which the molecular formula is identical but functional groups attached to them will be different.
• The structure of Methoxy methane is

• The structure of Ethanol is

• Here, the molecular formula for both Ethanol and Methoxy methane is the same, that is ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\mathrm{O}$, but the functional group is different.
• Hence option D functional isomers is correct.

Option A Chain isomers

• Chain Isomerism is a type of structural isomerism in which the molecular formula is identical but there will be a difference in the branching of Carbon.
• Hence option A chain isomer is incorrect.

Option B Position isomers

• Position Isomerism is a type of structural isomerism, though the molecular formula is identical, the position of the functional group will be different.
• Hence option B position isomers is incorrect.

Option C Optical isomers

• Stereoisomerism can only be observed in three-dimensional space.
• In such isomers, the orientations of the atoms can be different.
• Stereoisomerism is in two types Geometric isomerism and Optical isomerism.
• In geometric isomerism, the atoms have different spatial arrangements, and it is also known as cis-trans isomerism.
• In optical isomerism, the compounds have similar bonds and have different spatial arrangements forming non-superimposable mirror images.
• Hence option c optical isomers is incorrect.