Isomerism

1.Structural Isomerism
2.Stereoisomerism
Structural Isomers
Have same molecular formula but with
different structural formulae.
Butane 2 isomers
Pentane 3 isomers
Hexane 5 isomers
I.Structural Isomerism
There are three types of structural Isomers.
1. Chain Isomers
a)They have different carbon chains.
b)They have same functional group.
c)They belong to the same homologous
series.

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e.g. Butane C4H10
CH3CH2CH2CH3 CH3CHCH3
Straight Chain CH3
Branched chain
2. Positional Isomers
The functional group is in different position.
CH3CH2CH2OH CH3CHCH3
Propan-1-ol OH
Propan-2-ol
3.Functional Group Isomers
They have different functional group.
They have same molecular formula and
general formula.
a) Molecular formula=C2H6O (CnH2n+2O)
It may be either alcohol or ether.
C2H5OH (or) CH3OCH3
b) Molecular formula= C3H6O (CnH2nO)
It may be either aldehyde or ketone.
CH3CH2CHO Propan al
CH3COCH3 Propanone
c) Molecular formula= C4H8O2 (CnH2nO2)
It may be either acid or ester
CH3CH2CH2COOH Butanoic acid
CH3COOC2H5 Ethyl ethanoate

CnH2n+2O--------Alcohol or Ether
CnH2nO -------Aldehyde or Ketone
CnH2nO2 -------Acid or Ester
II.Stereoisomerism
a) E/Z isomerism
b) Optical isomerism ( in sec-6)
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