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isomer
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In chemistry, isomers are molecules or polyatomic ions with an identical molecular formula – that is, the same number of atoms of each element – but distinct arrangements of atoms in space. Isomerism refers to the existence or possibility of isomers.
Isomers are molecules that contain exactly the same atoms but arranged differently in space, like two buildings made from identical bricks but constructed in different layouts. This matters because the same atoms arranged differently can create substances with completely different properties and behaviors.
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Article
18 sectionsContents
- Structural isomers
- Example: {{chem|C|3|H|8|O}}
- Example: {{chem|C|3|H|4}}
- Tautomers
- Stereoisomers
- Enantiomers
- Diastereomers
- Cis–trans isomerism
- Rotamers and atropisomers
- Topoisomers
- Isotopes and spin
- Isotopomers
- Spin isomers
- Applications
- History
- See also
- References
- External links
In chemistry, isomers are molecules or polyatomic ions with an identical molecular formula – that is, the same number of atoms of each element – but distinct arrangements of atoms in space. Isomerism refers to the existence or possibility of isomers.
Isomers do not necessarily share similar chemical or physical properties. Two main forms of isomerism are structural (or constitutional) isomerism, in which bonds between the atoms differ; and stereoisomerism (or spatial isomerism), in which the bonds are the same but the relative positions of the atoms differ.