2.4 Isomerism

Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms. There are two types structural and geometric (E Z)

Structural isomers:

Structural isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula, but a different structural formula. The different types include: Chain, positions and functional group.

  1. Chain Isomerism

Two or more compounds with the same chemical formulas but distinct carbon atom arrangements in straight or branched chains.

Examples of chain isomers of pentane.

  1. Position isomerism

Same molecular formulae but the functional group is in a different position in the molecule.

Examples of positional isomers

  1. Functional group isomerism

They have the same molecular formulae but a different functional group.

Example of different placements of functional groups.

Geometric isomerism/ E Z isomerism

Compounds with the same molecular formulae but are arranged differently around a C=C double bond.