Question

How are structure (i) and structure (ii) given below related to one another? Give reason to justify your answer.

Structure (i) \[\begin{array}{cc} \ce{CH3}\phantom{............}\ce{CH3}\\ \backslash\phantom{..........}/\\ \ce{CH - CH}\\ /\phantom{..........}\backslash\\ \ce{CH3}\phantom{............}\ce{CH3} \end{array}\]

Structure (ii) \[\begin{array}{cc} \ce{CH3}\phantom{...........}\\ \backslash\phantom{.......}\\ \ce{CH3 - C - CH2CH3}\\ /\phantom{.......}\\ \ce{CH3}\phantom{...........} \end{array}\]

Answer 1

Structure (i) is 2,3-dimethylbutane, whereas Structure (ii) is 2,2-dimethylbutane. Both are isomers of the compound with the chemical formula C₆H₁₄. The isomer 3-methylpentane is another.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{ CH3 - CH2 - CH - CH2 - CH3}\\
|\phantom{..}\\
\ce{CH3}\phantom{.}\end{array}\]