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Question: Which type of isomerism is present in \(C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH\) and \(C{{H}_{3}}OC{{H}_{3}}\)?...

Which type of isomerism is present in CH3CH2OHC{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH and CH3OCH3C{{H}_{3}}OC{{H}_{3}}?

Explanation

Solution

Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but possess different structural formulas. This property is called isomerism. Isomers can be of various types like, geometrical, functional, constitutional, stereoisomer etc. These all depend on the positions of the functional groups and the carbon chains.

Complete answer:
Isomers are defined as the compounds that consist of the same chemical formula but have different structural representations. There are various types of isomers depending on the nature of placement of the functional groups and the carbon chains. We have been given alcohol and either of them has the chemical formula C2H6O{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}O.
These compounds are written in their condensed structural formula as CH3CH2OHC{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH and CH3OCH3C{{H}_{3}}OC{{H}_{3}}. They both differ in their functional groups only. One of the functional groups is alcohol (OH) and the other is ether (R – O – R where, R is alkyl groups).
The isomers that have the same chemical formula but different functional groups are called functional group isomers that come under constitutional isomers.
Hence, type of isomerism present in CH3CH2OHC{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH and CH3OCH3C{{H}_{3}}OC{{H}_{3}} is functional group isomerism also called constitutional isomerism.

Note:
The constitutional isomers can be of various types; here we have been given functional isomers in which the position of functional groups changes in the structures. When the carbon skeleton is rearranged then it is called skeletal isomers, when the alkyl groups are made as straight chains or taken as branches then they are termed as positional isomers.