Question

What is chain isomerism? Explain with an example.

Answer 1

Chain isomerism-When two or more compounds have a same molecular formula, but they differ in length of the main chain. 

CH3−CH(CH3)−CH2−CH3 is a branched chain compound and CH3−CH2−CH2−CH2−CH3 is a straight chain compound with same molecular formula. Thus they are chain isomers .

Answer 2

Chain isomerism: It is a type of structural isomerism in which molecular formula is the same but the arrangement of the carbon chain is different. For example,