Isomerism

Isomerism

The phenomenon of existence of two or more compounds possessing the same molecular formula but different properties is known as isomerism. Such compounds are called as isomers. The following flow chart shows different types of isomerism.

Structural isomerism.

Compounds having the same molecular formula but different structures (manners in which atoms are linked) are classified as structural isomers. Some typical examples of different types of structural isomerism are given below:

Chain isomerism : When two or more compounds have similar molecular formula but different carbon skeletons. These are referred to as chain isomers and the phenomenon is termed as chain isomerism. For example C₅H₁₂ represents three compounds:

Position isomerism : When two or more compounds differ in the position of substituent atom or functional group on the carbon skeleton, they are called position isomers and this phenomenon is termed as position isomerism. For example, the molecular formula C₃H₈O represents two alcohols:

Functional group isomerism: Two or more compounds having the same molecular formula but different functional groups are called functional isomers and this phenomenon is termed as functional group isomerism. For example, the molecular formula C₃H₆O represents an aldehyde and a ketone:

Metamerism: It arises due o different alkyl chains on either side of the functional group in the molecule. For example, C₄H₁₀O represents methoxypropane (CH₃OC₃H₇) and ethoxyethane (C₂H₅OC₂H₅).

Stereoisomerism

The compounds that have the same constitution and sequence of covalent bonds but differ in relative positions of their atoms or groups in apace are called stereoisomers. This special type of isomerism is called as stereoisomerism and can be classified as geometrical and optical isomerism.