Why, in terms of atoms, are CH_3CH_2OH and CH_3CHO not isomers of each other?

1 Answer
Radioactive Teddybear
Jun 4, 2017

Because they don't follow the definition of an isomer

Explanation:

Here is the Oxford Dictionary definition of an isomer
"Each of two or more compounds with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms in the molecule and different properties."

CH_3CH_2OH has one more O and H than CH_3CHO

An example of an isomer is C_4H_8, as shown in this picture
![www.chemguide.co.uk
It has the same amount of C and H atoms, but they're just arranged differently.

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