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  1. Glossary
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /Isomerism

What is Isomerism?

In short

Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures, so they have different properties.

In simple words

In structural isomers the atoms are joined in a different order. In stereoisomers the order is the same but the arrangement in space differs. Butane, C4H10\text{C}_4\text{H}_{10}C4​H10​, has two structural isomers: straight-chain butane and branched 2-methylpropane. Isomers can differ in boiling point, reactivity and biological effect.

Example

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}CH3​CH2​OH, boils at 78∘C78^\circ\text{C}78∘C) and dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3\text{CH}_3\text{OCH}_3CH3​OCH3​, a gas at room temperature) both have the formula C2H6O\text{C}_2\text{H}_6\text{O}C2​H6​O.

Learn it properly

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Related terms

  • Alkane (Saturated Hydrocarbon)
  • Covalent Bond

← All glossary terms

Learn it in

  1. Classification, Nomenclature and IsomerismClass 11 to 12
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Practise

  1. For each compound, say whether it has cis and trans forms, a pair of enantiomers, or…Medium
  2. A hydrocarbon has the formula C₄H₈. Find its degrees of unsaturation…Hard
  3. Name the kind of isomerism between each pair: (a) butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol; (b)…Medium
Draw every isomer of C₅H₁₂ and name each…Easy
All problems on this topic →

Quick questions

  1. Which statement about a pair of enantiomers is true?Medium
  2. Which structure is 4-hydroxybutan-2-one?Hard
  3. A hydrocarbon has the molecular formula C₈H₈. What is its number of degrees of…Hard

More Chemistry terms

  1. Acids, Bases and pH
  2. Allotrope
  3. Atom
  4. Bohr Model of the Atom
  5. Catalyst
  6. Chemical Formulae and Equations
All Chemistry terms →

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