True or false? Constitutional isomers and conformations have the same molecular formula.
I think the question is asking two separate questions.
#1. Constitutional isomers have the same molecular formula. T or F
#2. Conformers have the same molecular formula. T or F.
Aren't both true?
Isn't that true?
Constitutional isomers have the same molecular formula but different atom connectivity.
Conformational isomers have the same molecular formula and the same atom connectivity but different spatial arrangements due to rotation about single bonds.
The answer is true.
True. Constitutional isomers and conformations have the same molecular formula.
Constitutional isomers have different connectivity between atoms but the same molecular formula. For example, the compounds butane and isobutane both have the molecular formula C4H10, but their connectivity between atoms is different.
Conformations, on the other hand, are different spatial arrangements of the same molecule. They imply rotations about single bonds without breaking any covalent bonds. Despite having different conformations, the molecules still have the same molecular formula.
False. Constitutional isomers and conformations do not have the same molecular formula.
To understand this better, let's break down the terms:
Constitutional isomers: These are molecules with the same molecular formula but different connectivity of atoms. In other words, the atoms are arranged in a different order within the molecule. Constitutional isomers have different physical properties and chemical reactivities.
Conformations: These refer to different spatial arrangements of a molecule that arise from rotations about single bonds. Conformations do not involve changing the connectivity of atoms; instead, they involve rotations around existing bonds. Although conformations can change the shape of a molecule, they do not alter its molecular formula.
Since constitutional isomers involve different atom connectivity and conformations involve rotations around existing bonds, it is clear that they do not have the same molecular formula. Therefore, the statement "Constitutional isomers and conformations have the same molecular formula" is false.