Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
ISOMERS
Compounds with the same formula but with different structures are called
isomers
.
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
CH
CH
3
H
3
C
C
H
C
H
4
10
4
10
normal butane (n-butane)
isobutane (i-butane)
The paraffin hydrocarbon containing four carbon atoms is called butane,
but two 4-carbon (C
) paraffins are possible. The butane with its carbons
in a line is known as normal butane or n-butane. The branched chain butane
is isobutane or i-butane. Although each compound has the formula C
4
H
,
4
10
they have different properties; for example, n-butane boils at
−
0.5
°
C while
isobutane boils at
of each
other. The straight-chain paraffin is always called the normal form.
−
11.7
°
C. n-Butane and i-butane are
isomers
