Question
Question: ethyl benzene and ortho xylene are what isomers...
ethyl benzene and ortho xylene are what isomers
A
Chain isomers
B
Positional isomers
C
Functional isomers
D
Stereoisomers
Answer
Chain isomers
Explanation
Solution
Ethyl benzene has the molecular formula C₈H₁₀ (C₆H₅-CH₂CH₃). Ortho xylene also has the molecular formula C₈H₁₀ (C₆H₄(CH₃)₂). Since they share the same molecular formula but have different structural arrangements of carbon atoms in their side chains, they are structural isomers. Specifically, ethyl benzene has an ethyl group attached to the benzene ring, while ortho xylene has two methyl groups. This difference in the carbon skeleton of the side chains classifies them as chain isomers, which are a type of structural isomer.