What type of isomerism is exhibited by 1-butanol and 2-butanol?

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Q: What type of isomerism is exhibited by 1-butanol and 2-butanol?

Solution: 1-butanol and 2-butanol differ in the position of the hydroxyl group, hence they are structural isomers.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand what isomerism means. Isomerism is when two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structures.
Step 2: Identify the molecular formula of both compounds. Both 1-butanol and 2-butanol have the same molecular formula, C4H10O.
Step 3: Look at the structure of 1-butanol. In 1-butanol, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to the first carbon of the butane chain.
Step 4: Look at the structure of 2-butanol. In 2-butanol, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to the second carbon of the butane chain.
Step 5: Compare the positions of the hydroxyl group in both compounds. Since the position of the -OH group is different in 1-butanol and 2-butanol, they are considered different structures.
Step 6: Conclude that because they have the same molecular formula but different structures due to the different positions of the hydroxyl group, 1-butanol and 2-butanol are structural isomers.