14.

1 ISOMERISM
Objectives
By the end of the sub topic, the learners should be able to:

 Describe the term isomerism.

 Identify structural isomers of alkanes.
 Draw the structures of the isomers.

Introduction
 Isomers are substances with the same molecular formula but different spatial
arrangement.
 Even though the molecular formula of the substance will be the same, the different
arrangement gives the isomers different physical properties.
 There are several different types of isomers which includes positional isomers,
structural isomers and functional group isomers amongst others.
 Structural isomers will be focused on, in this sub-topic.

Structural isomerism
 Structural isomerism occurs when substances have the same molecular formula and
functional group but different spatial arrangement.
 Alkanes can exhibit structural isomerism only when the alkane has more than 3
carbon atoms.
 One of the isomer will be a straight chain and the other a branched chain.
 Table 14.1.1 shows the structural isomers of some alkanes.

Table 14.1.1: Structural isomers of some alkanes

Molecular formula Structural isomers

(butane)

C 4 H 10

(2-methylpropane)
C 5 H 12
 (pentane)

(2-methylbutane)

(2,2-dimethylpropane)

C 6 H 14

(hexane)

(2-methyl pentane)

(3-methyl pentane)
 (2,2-dimethyl butane)

(2,3-dimethyl butane)

 C 4 H 10 has two structural formula, one which has a straight chain and one has a
branched chain.
 C 5 H 12 has three structural formula, one which has a straight chain and two have
branched chains.
 C 6 H 14 has five structural formula, one which has a straight chain and four have
branched chains.
 The longer the carbon chain of an alkane, the more the isomers it will have.
 Branched alkanes have lower boiling points compared to their straight chain
isomers. This is because the branching makes it harder for the molecules to come
close together as a result the attraction between the molecules is weaker and less
energy is required to break the bonds.