Question

Discuss "Isomers of Alkanes and Their Differences" by giving examples for each type. Your explanation should include relevant mechanisms and references to actual uses in life.

Answer 1

Alkanes are organic compounds with general formula C_nH_2n+2. They consists of single bonded carbons and hydrogen only. Main types of alkanes includes straight chain alkanes, branched alkanes and cycloalkanes. Alkanes are saturated compounds since they doesn't had any double or triple bonds. Among different types, cycloalkanes has general formula of C_nH_2n .

Isomers are molecules that having same molecular formula but different structural arrangement of atoms in space. But the difference in structure due to rotation along carbon-carbon bond doesn't make them different they are just same.

Isomers which differ in connectivity are called structural or constitutional isomers. For example n-butane and isobutane are constitutional isomers. Where the prefix 'iso' denotes the branches of central carbon are equivalent.

structural isomerism are of different types

1. Chain isomerism 2. Position isomerism

3. Fuctional group isomerism 4. Metamerism 5. Tautomerism

Among these types alkanes show chain isomerism. Examples are given in attached document