ISOMERS

Question 1

What are isomers? (1)

Answer 1

Isomers have the same molecular formula but the atoms are arranged differently.

Question 2

what are the types of isomers? (2)

Answer 2

structural isomers
stereoisomers

Question 3

what are the types of structural isomers? (3)

Answer 3

-chain isomers
-Positional isomers
-Functional group isomers

Question 4

what are chain isomers? (1)

Answer 4

chain isomers have different arrangements of the carbon skeleton, some are straight chains whilst others are branched.

Question 5

what are positional isomers? (1)

Answer 5

positional isomers have the same skeleton and the same atoms or groups of atoms attached. The difference is that the atom or group of atoms is attached to a different carbon atom.

Question 6

what are functional group isomers? (1)

Answer 6

functional group isomers have the same atoms arranged into different functional groups.

Question 7

what are stereoisomers? (1)

Answer 7

stereoisomers have the same structural formula but a different arrangement in space.

Question 8

why can’t C=C bonds rotate? (2)

Answer 8

atoms can’t rotate around them like they can in single bonds, this is because of the electron overlap over and below the molecular plane.

Question 9

what causes E/Z stereoisomerism? (1)

Answer 9

the restricted rotation around the C=C double bond.

Question 10

what is the z-isomer? (1)

Answer 10

the Z-isomer has the same groups either both above or below the double bond.

Question 11

what is the E-isomer? (1)

Answer 11

the E isomer has the same groups positioned across the double bond.

Question 12

When assigning higher priority groups when looking for E/Z isomers what is this classified as? (1)

Answer 12

the atom with the higher atomic number on each carbon is given the higher priority.