Question

What is metamerism? Give the structure and IUPAC name of metamers of 2-methoxypropane?

Answer 1

Hint : Metamerism is a term related to organic chemistry. It is a type of isomerism. Isomerism is a phenomenon in which one or more than one compounds have the same chemical formula but different chemical structures.

Complete step by step solution :
In organic chemistry compounds which have the same molecular formula but different number of carbon atoms on either side of the functional group are called metamers and phenomenon is called metamerism. It is basically a type of structural isomerism in which different alkyl groups are attached to the same functional group. Formula of methoxy propane is ${C_4}{H_{10}}O$ . Its metamers are as follows:
$C{H_3} - O - C{H_2} - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ (1-methoxy propane) and $C{H_3} - C{H_2} - O - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ (Ethoxy ethane)
Additional information: Types of isomers are structural and stereoisomers. Structural isomers are divided into chain, positional, functional, metamerism, tautomerism and ring chain isomers. Stereoisomers are divided into geometrical and optical isomers. Structural isomerism is commonly called constitutional isomerism. In these isomers functional groups and atoms in the molecules are connected in different ways. Chain isomerism is also called skeletal isomerism. Components of these isomers are attached in the form of branches. In positional isomers the position of functional groups or atoms is different. Functional isomerism we have studied above. In metamerism different alkyl chains are present. Tautomerism refers to the isomer of the compound which only differs in position of protons and electrons. In ring-chain isomerism one structure has an open chain structure whereas the other has ring structure. In stereoisomerism compounds have the same molecular formula but different orientation of atoms in three dimensional space. Geometric isomerism is known as cis-trans isomerism.

Note : Do not get confused with tautomerism and metamerism. Tautomerism is dynamic equilibrium between two compounds with the same molecular formula and metamerism is presence of different alkyl chains on either side of the functional group.