Understanding Alcohol Isomerism in Chemistry

Which structural formulas represent the same compound? Which represent constitutional isomers?

Answer:

Each member of the set of compounds provided is an alcohol, meaning they contain a hydroxyl group. The compounds in the set are:

  • 2-Butanol
  • 3-Methyl-1-pentanol
  • 2-Methyl-2-butanol
  • Pentan-1-ol
  • 2-Methyl-1-butanol
  • 1-Pentanol

Constitutional isomerism is a type of isomerism where molecules have the same atoms but are bonded in a different order. This results in them having the same molecular formula but different functional groups. The compounds that are constitutional isomers in the set provided are:

  • 2-Methyl-1-butanol
  • 3-Methyl-1-pentanol
  • 2-Methyl-2-butanol

The pairs of alcohols that represent the same compound are:

  • 2-Butanol and Pentan-1-ol
  • 1-Pentanol and 3-Methyl-1-pentanol

Unique Structural Formulas

Each alcohol has its own unique structural formula that distinguishes it from other compounds. Isomers are compounds with the same chemical formula but differ in structure, including constitutional isomers.

The structural formulas representing the same compound in the set provided are Pentan-1-ol and 2-Butanol. The structural formulas representing constitutional isomers are 2-Methyl-1-butanol, 3-Methyl-1-pentanol, and 2-Methyl-2-butanol. Constitutional isomers have the same number and types of atoms but are connected differently.

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