Functional group isomerism is a type of structural isomerism where compounds have the same molecular formula but differ in the functional groups present in their molecules. This means that the isomers belong to different homologous series or families of compounds due to the different functional groups they contain
. For example:
- Alcohols and ethers can be functional group isomers (e.g., C2H6O can be ethanol or dimethyl ether).
- Aldehydes and ketones are another pair (e.g., propanal and propanone both have the formula C3H6O).
- Carboxylic acids and esters also show functional group isomerism (e.g., propanoic acid and methyl ethanoate, both C3H6O2)
In essence, functional group isomers have the same number and type of atoms but differ in how these atoms are connected, leading to different functional groups and chemical properties
Key points:
- Same molecular formula.
- Different functional groups.
- Belong to different homologous series.
- Examples include alcohols vs. ethers, aldehydes vs. ketones, and carboxylic acids vs. esters
This concept is important in organic chemistry for understanding the diversity of compounds that can arise from the same molecular formula.
