Question

Draw structures for all constitutional isomers with the following molecular formula: C₂H₅Cl?

Answer 1

The two constitutional isomers of C₂H₅Cl are ethyl chloride (chloroethane) and methyl chloride (1-chloropropane). These differ in the placement of chlorine relative to the carbon chain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular formula C₂H₅Cl represents chloroethane, which can have two constitutional isomers depending on the placement of the chlorine atom. Constitutional isomers have the same molecular formula but different connectivity of their atoms.

Isomers of C₂H₅Cl:

1. Ethyl chloride: It is the first isomer where chlorine is bonded to an ethane (two carbon atoms' chain) structure, giving it the IUPAC name chloroethane.
2. Methyl chloride: The second isomer is where chlorine is bonded to a methane (single carbon atom) structure, with an ethyl group (-CH₃CH₂-) attached to it. This gives it the IUPAC name 1-chloropropane.

These compounds are structural isomers because they differ in the placement of chlorine relative to the carbon chain.