Question

Consider structures I to VII and answer the question:

I.	CH3 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – OH
II.	\[\begin{array}{cc} \ce{CH3 - CH2 - CH - CH3}\\ \phantom{.....}|\\ \phantom{.......}\ce{OH} \end{array}\]
III.	\[\begin{array}{cc} \phantom{...}\ce{CH3}\\ \phantom{}|\\ \ce{CH3 - C - CH3}\\ \phantom{}|\\ \phantom{..}\ce{OH} \end{array}\]
IV.	\[\begin{array}{cc} \ce{CH3 - CH - CH2 - OH}\\ |\phantom{........}\\ \ce{CH3}\phantom{......} \end{array}\]
V.	CH3 – CH2 – O – CH2 – CH3
VI.	CH3 – O – CH2 – CH2 – CH3
VII.	\[\begin{array}{cc} \ce{CH3 - O - CH - CH3}\\ \phantom{...}|\\ \phantom{......}\ce{CH3} \end{array}\]

Identify the pairs of compounds that represents chain isomerism.

Answer 1

If two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different carbon skeletons then these compounds are referred to as chain isomers and the phenomenon is termed as chain isomerism. The pairs of compounds that represent chain isomerism are- I, II, III, IV.