Types of Isomerism in organic chemistry

Types of isomerism

1. Structural isomerism
2. Optical isomerism

Structural isomerism

Here compounds differ in arrangement of atoms in a compound.

(a) Chain isomerism: compound have the same molecular formula but different arrangement of atoms in the chain.

(i)         Structure isomers:

These are common to alkanes, isomers differ in arrangement of atoms in the chain

(ii) Functional isomerism

Compounds have the same molecular formula but different functional groups such as alcohols and ether.

(iii)       Positional Isomer:

The isomers have the same molecular formula, same functional group but different positions of the functional group on a molecule.

Examples

CH₃CH₂CH=CH₂ but-1-ene

CH₃CH=CHCH₃ but-2-ene

(b) Stereo isomerism

Compounds have the same molecular formula, the same functional group but different arrangement of atoms in space.

(i)         Geometrical isomerism:

atoms, molecules are arranged differently about a double bonds:

(ii) Optical isomers:

Compounds have the same molecular formula, the same functional group but differ in optical properties towards plane polarized light. Those that rotate plane polarized light towards the right are called dextro isomers and those that rotate light towards the left are called levo isomers.

 

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