What are Structural Isomers and How Do They Differ?

Structural isomers are a type of isomer where molecules share the same chemical formula but differ in the arrangement of their atoms and bonds. This means that while they have the same number of atoms of each element, the atoms are connected in a different way.

One common example of structural isomers is butane and isobutane. Both of these compounds have the molecular formula C4H10, which means they have the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms. However, the way these atoms are bonded to each other is different in each compound.

Butane has a linear structure, with all four carbon atoms in a straight chain. On the other hand, isobutane has a branched structure, with a central carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms. This difference in structure leads to differences in physical and chemical properties of the two compounds.

Overall, structural isomers are important in chemistry as they demonstrate how small changes in the arrangement of atoms can lead to significant differences in the properties of compounds.