Everything Science Grade 12

CHAPTER 1. ORGANICMOLECULES 1.5

C C C CH

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H C C CH

H

H

H

H H

H

H C H

H

Figure 1.4: Isomers of a4-carbon organic compound

If you were to count the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in each compound,
you would find that they are the same. They both have the same molecular formula
(C 4 H 10 ), but their structure is different and so are theirproperties. Such compounds
are called isomers.

DEFINITION: Isomer

In chemistry, isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula

and often with the samekinds of chemical bonds between atoms, but

in which the atoms are arranged differently.

Exercise 1 - 2

Match the organic compound in Column A withits isomer Column B:

Column A Column B

CH 3 CH(CH 3 )OH CH 3 CH(CH 3 )CH 3

H C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

HH C

H

H

C

H

H

C

CH 3

CH 3

H

H C

H

CH 3

C

CH 3

H

C

H

H

H C^3 H^7 OH

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