Question

What is functional group isomerism?

a. Functional group isomerism is where two or more molecules have the same structural formula but the structures either have different functional groups or the same functional group is located in a different position in the molecule.
b. Functional group isomerism is where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula but the structures either have different functional groups or the same functional group is located in a different position in the molecule
c. Functional group isomerism is where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula but the structures have different functional groups located in the same position in the molecule.
d. Functional group isomerism is where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula but the structures have functional groups located in a different positions in the molecule.

Answer 1

Functional group isomerism occurs when two or more molecules share the same molecular formula but have different functional groups or the same functional group in different positions, resulting in different properties. Option b correctly describes functional group isomerism.

Step-by-step explanation:

Functional group isomerism is a form of isomerism where two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different functional groups or the same functional group attached at different positions on the molecule. The correct definition among the provided options is: Functional group isomerism is where two or more molecules have the same molecular formula but the structures either have different functional groups or the same functional group is located in a different position in the molecule. This means that the correct option is b. Functional groups are significant in organic chemistry as they determine the reactivity and properties of compounds.

For instance, propan-1-ol and methoxyethane (ethyl methyl ether) both have the molecular formula C3H8O, but propan-1-ol is an alcohol while methoxyethane is an ether, illustrating functional group isomerism through different functional groups. Positional isomers, on the other hand, have the same functional group but differ in the position of this group within the molecule, as with propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol.