What is isomerism?
Answer
Isomerism is the phenomenon in which two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements or spatial arrangements of atoms.
The working
Definition
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different properties are called isomers, and the phenomenon is isomerism.
Structural isomerism
Here atoms are connected in a different order. Its types include chain, position, functional group, and metamerism.
Stereoisomerism
Here atoms have the same connectivity but a different arrangement in space. It includes geometrical (cis-trans) and optical isomerism.
Why it matters
Isomers can have very different physical and chemical properties, which is why the huge diversity of organic compounds exists.
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