Isomerism in Alcohols Preparation and Properties
Alcohols exhibit four types of structural isomerism:
→ Chain isomerism : Alcoholš containing four or more carbon atoms exhibit chain isomerism in which the isomers differ in the chain of carbon atoms attached to the hydroxyl group.
For example:
→ Position isomerism : The alcohols containing three or more carbon atoms exhibit position isomerism in which the isomer differ in the position of hydroxyl group.
For example:
→ Functional isomerism : Monohydric alcohols containing two or more carbon atoms exhibit functional isomerism in which the isomers differ in the functional group. For example : Ether is functional isomer of alcohol.
→ Optical isomerism : Monohydric alcohols containing atleast one asymmetric carbon atom (chiral atom) which rotate plane poiar light to right or left are called optical isomers.
For example:
