Chapter 15 - Lecture 6 – Isomerism

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Figure	Source of Figure
Figure 7	http://cnx.org/

Isomerism:

Molecular compounds having the same molecular formula but different physical structure are said to show ISOMERISM.

Example:

Butane; C₄H₁₀, is the first alkane member to show Isomerism. It may exist in the following 2 structures.

Figure 7:

These 2 different structures of butane are called Isomers of butane.

The isomer of butane, Iso-Butane, shown in Figure 7, is also called branched alkane as the center carbon atom is bonded with 3 other carbon atoms, forming a branch; instead of a chain; where each Carbon atom is bonded with only 2 carbon atoms on either sides.

Isomers and differences in Properties:

1. Chemical properties:
• Chemical properties of isomers remain same and the isomer hydrocarbon undergo same chemical reactions of Combustion and Substitution.
2. Physical properties:
• Physical properties for the isomers of the same hydrocarbon, might differ slightly in terms of melting point, boiling point, viscosity and flammability.

                                                                                       ©Tanzeela Zafar Siddiqui