Question

Define or explain position isomerism with an example.

Answer 1

Compounds that share the same chemical formula but vary in the placement of substituent atoms or functional groups on the carbon atom are referred to as position isomers, and this occurrence is termed position isomerism.

Example:

\[\ce{\underset{but-1-yne}{\overset{4}{C}H3 - \overset{3}{C}H2\overset{2}{C} ≡ \overset{1}{C} - H}}\] and \[\ce{\underset{but-2-yne}{\overset{4}{C}H3 - \overset{3}{C} ≡ \overset{2}{C} - \overset{1}{C}H3}}\]

\[\ce{\underset{but-2-ene}{CH3CH = CHCH3}}\] and \[\ce{\underset{but-1-ene}{CH2 = CHCH2CH3}}\]