CH3CHClCH2Cl vs. CH2ClCHClCH3

How would I know if :

-The two formulas represent different compounds which are constitutional isomers.

-The two formulas represent different compounds that are not isomeric.

-The two formulas represent the same compound.

~if they were isomers wouldn't that constitute placing the Cl in a different position and also having the same molecular formula?

But what does Isometric mean then?

I need help on this. Thank you =)

Hmm..after drawing this I find that all I did to get the other structure was to flip the first or second structure horizontally and I got the same exact thing.

Based on this would they be constitutional isomers or represent the same compound?

The two structures you have drawn are the same compound. I can't do it on the board but if you will draw them on a sheet of paper something like this:


&nbsp&nbsp&nbspH
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp|
H-C-C- etc
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp|
&nbsp&nbsp&nbspH

you will see that all the question has done is draw the first compound backwards to make the second compound.

That is, the Cl on the right end of compound 1 is on the left end of compound 2. Compound 1 starts with a CH3 group and compound 2 ends with a CH3 group.

I was thinking that they were the same but wasn't sure since the examples in the program were only of flipping the structure vertically not horizontally and I wanted to be sure since I haven't done organic chem in a long time.

If it was a constitutional isomer wouldn't they have to have moved the Cl to let's say the top of the first carbon?

To make constitutional isomers of a dichloro propane, one structure will need a Cl on carbon 1 and another one on carbon 2. Another isomer would need to have a a Cl atom on C1 and another on C3. A third isomer would have both Cl atoms on C1. I THINK that is all of them.

Hm..I need to work on this from what you said since I only mentioned one isomer.

Thanks for all your help Dr.Bob =D

To determine if the two formulas CH3CHClCH2Cl and CH2ClCHClCH3 represent different compounds (constitutional isomers) or the same compound, you can analyze their structural arrangements and connectivity.

1. Constitutional Isomers: Two compounds are constitutional isomers if they have the same molecular formula but differ in the connectivity of their atoms. In this case, if you rearrange the atoms in either compound and still maintain the same molecular formula (C3H6Cl2), then they are constitutional isomers.

To determine if these formulas are constitutional isomers, you can draw both molecules and compare their structures:

CH3CHClCH2Cl: CH2ClCHClCH3:
Cl Cl
| |
CH3—C—C—C—Cl Cl—C—C—C—CH3
| |
Cl Cl

By comparing the structures, you can see that the position of the chlorine atoms has changed, indicating different connectivity. Therefore, these two formulas are constitutional isomers.

2. Different Compounds, Not isomeric: If the two formulas have different molecular formulas, they represent different compounds that are not isomeric.

3. Same Compound: If the two formulas have the same molecular formula and identical connectivity, they represent the same compound. In this case, the molecular formulas are different, so the compounds are not the same.

Isomerism refers to the phenomenon of two or more compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. It can be further categorized into constitutional isomerism (differing connectivity) and stereoisomerism (differing spatial arrangement).

Remember, to determine if compounds are constitutional isomers, you need to analyze the connectivity of the atoms and whether the molecular formulas are the same.

I hope this clarifies your question!