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Structural Isomers

Structural isomers, including chain, positional and functional group isomers, are different molecules with the same molecular formula.

Structural isomers

Structural isomers

  • Structural isomers are different molecules with the same molecular formula.
  • Structural isomers have different structural formulas, but the same molecular formula.
  • Structural isomers have different physical properties
  • Structural isomers can be better understood by classifying them as chain, positional and functional group isomers.
Chain isomers

Chain isomers

  • Molecular formulas with four or more carbons can be represented by more than one structural formula by changing the amount of branching in the molecule.
  • The longer the carbon chain length the more possibilities there are.
  • The more branching the weaker the London dispersion forces and the lower the boiling point.
Positional isomers

Positional isomers

  • The functional group in a molecule can be moved to a different position to give positional isomers.
  • An example of this with C4H8 is shown above.
Functional group isomers

Functional group isomers

  • Molecules can also exist with the same molecular formula but with different functional groups.
  • Two typical examples of this are aldehydes with ketones and alkenes with cycloalkanes, shown above.
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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