Show all possible constitutional isomers of C₅H₁₂O. Label them as functional, positional, or chain isomers.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional groups possible with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂O. Consider alcohols (R-OH) and ethers (R-O-R').
2. For alcohols, start with the longest carbon chain (pentanol) and then create shorter chains by moving the OH group to different positions, resulting in positional isomers.
3. For ethers, consider different combinations of carbon chains on either side of the oxygen atom, leading to different chain isomers.
4. Draw the structural formulas for each isomer, ensuring that each structure has the correct number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
5. Label each isomer as a functional isomer (if it changes the functional group), positional isomer (if the position of the functional group changes), or chain isomer (if the carbon skeleton changes).

Key Concepts

Constitutional Isomers

Constitutional isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the connectivity of their atoms. This means that the arrangement of atoms in the molecule varies, leading to different structural forms. For example, C₅H₁₂O can have various isomers based on how the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are connected.

Functional Isomers

Functional isomers are a type of constitutional isomer where the isomers differ in the functional group present in the molecule. For instance, in C₅H₁₂O, one isomer could be an alcohol (like pentanol) while another could be an ether (like dimethyl ether), showcasing how the same atoms can form different functional groups.

Positional and Chain Isomers

Positional isomers occur when the position of a functional group changes within the same carbon skeleton, while chain isomers arise from variations in the carbon chain structure, such as branching. In C₅H₁₂O, different placements of the hydroxyl group in pentanol or variations in the carbon chain can lead to distinct isomers, illustrating the diversity of structures possible with the same molecular formula.