Question

How many isomers can a formula of `C_4H_10O` generate?

Answer 1

Well, I count 7 isomers.....

Explanation:

There are four alcohols....

`(i)` `H_3C-CH_2CH_2CH_2OH` `,"n-butanol";`

`(ii)` `H_3C-CH_2CH(OH)CH_3` `,"isobutanol";` (and this exists as a pair of enantiomers).

`(iii)` `(H_3C)_3C(OH)` `,"tert-butanol";`

`(iv)` `H_3C-CH(CH_3)CH_2(OH)` `,"2-methylpropanol";`

And three ethers.....

`(v)` `H_3C-CH_2OCH_2CH_3` `,"diethyl ether";`

`(vi)` `H_3C-OCH(CH_3)_2` `,"methyl isopropyl ether";`

`(vii)` `H_3C-O-CH_2CH_2CH_3` `,"methyl propyl ether".`

You should draw the structures yourself. There is no better training for recognizing, and numbering isomers.

Answer 2

Here's what I get.

Explanation:

Structural isomers

Structural Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different connectivities (the atoms are connected in different orders).

For example, two structural isomers of `"C"_4"H"_10"O"` are butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol.

The `"O"` atom is attached to different carbons in the two isomers.

Two other structural isomers of `"C"_4"H"_10"O"` are methyl propyl ether and diethyl ether.

Again, the `"O"` atom is attached to different carbons in the two isomers.

Functional group isomers

Functional group isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different functional groups.

For example, butan-1-ol and diethyl ether are functional group isomers.

They have the same molecular formula, but one is an alcohol and the other is an ether.