Chapter 21, Problem 36E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Ethers and alcohols needs to be explained as structural isomers using exampled. The functional group in the given table needs to be determined which is the structural isomer of carboxylic acids.

Concept introduction: When two or more molecules have the same formula but shows different properties, they are termed as isomers. Molecules having same molecular formula but arrangement of atoms is different in space are termed as structural isomers.

Answer to Problem 36E

Ethers and alcohols are the structural isomers of one another which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Alcohol and ether can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

Aldehydes and ketones are the structural isomers of one another which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Aldehyde and ketone can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

From the given table, esters are the structural isomers of carboxylic acids.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Class	Functional Group	General Formula	Example
Halohaydrocarbon	−X (F, Cl, Br, I)	R−X	${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{I}$ Iodomethane (methyl iodide)
Alcohols	−OH	R−OH	${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{OH}$ Methanol (methyl alcohol)
Ethers	−O−	R−O−R	${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}-\text{O}-{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}$ Dimethyl ether
Aldehydes			${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{O}$ Methanal (Formaldehyde)
Ketones			${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COCH}}_{\text{3}}$ Propanone (Dimethyl ketone or acetone)
Carboxylic acids			${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{COOH}$ Ethanoic acid (acetic acid)
Esters			${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COOCH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}$ Ethyl acetate
Amines	$-{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$	$\text{R}-{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$	${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$ Aminomethane (methylamine)

Molecules having same molecular formula but different arrangement of atoms in space are termed as structural isomers.

Ethers and alcohols are the structural isomers of each other which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Alcohol and ether can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

Aldehydes and ketones are the structural isomers of one another which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Aldehyde and ketone can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

From the given table, esters are the structural isomers of carboxylic acids which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_4{\text{O}}_2$ . Carboxylic acid and ester can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_4{\text{O}}_2$ as:

  

Conclusion

Ethers and alcohols are the structural isomers of each other which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Alcohol and ether can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_{\text{3}}{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

Aldehydes and ketones are the structural isomers of one another which can be illustrated by considering a molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ . Aldehyde and ketone can be drawn from the same molecular formula, ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}\text{O}$ as:

  

From the given table, esters are the structural isomers of carboxylic acids.