Identifying Isomers of Alkanes?

📌 CONCEPT: Isomers of alkanes are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas, resulting in distinct physical and chemical properties.

📐 RULE / FORMULA: The main difference between isomers of alkanes lies in their branching, which affects the number of carbon-carbon single bonds and the overall shape of the molecule.

💡 WORKED EXAMPLE: For instance, n-butane and isobutane have the same molecular formula (C4H10), but their structures differ. n-Butane has a linear chain structure, while isobutane has a branched structure. They can be separated through fractional distillation, as isobutane has a lower boiling point due to its more stable molecular structure.

⚠️ COMMON MISTAKE: Students often confuse isomers with stereoisomers, where the difference lies in the spatial arrangement of atoms, not the molecular structure. Identifying isomers requires analyzing the structural formulas, not just the molecular formulas.