Question

Explain the Structural isomerism term with example.

Answer 1

It is a phenomenon in which the compounds having different structural formulas have the same molecular formula.

E.g. n-Butane and isobutane are structural isomers as they have different structural formulae but have a same molecular formula: C₄H₁₀. 

$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\\ |\phantom{....}|\phantom{....}|\phantom{....}|\\ \mathrm{H}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{H}\\ |\phantom{....}|\phantom{....}|\phantom{....}|\\ \mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\phantom{...}\mathrm{H}\end{array}$$

n-Butane (C₄H₁₀)

Isobutane (C₄H₁₀)