How Many Structural Isomers of C5H12 Can Be Drawn?

How many isomers of which type can be drawn to represent the chemical formula C5H12?

3 structural isomers can be drawn to represent the chemical formula C5H12. When two or more organic compounds have the same molecular formula but different structures, they are said to be structural isomers, also referred to as constitutional isomers. The two molecules below share the same chemical formula, however they are distinct due to variations in the methyl group's placement.

Structural Isomers of C5H12

Isomer 1: Methyl Butane

Methyl butane is one of the structural isomers of C5H12. It has a chain of four carbon atoms with a methyl group attached to one of the carbon atoms.

Isomer 2: n-Pentane

n-Pentane is another structural isomer of C5H12. It is a straight-chain alkane with five carbon atoms in a row.

Isomer 3: Isopentane (Dimethyl Propane)

Isopentane, also known as dimethyl propane, is the third structural isomer of C5H12. It consists of a branched chain with a total of five carbon atoms.

It is an alkane, C5H12. There are 2 to the power (n-4)+1 isomers of an alkane, where n is the number of carbon atoms. Therefore, there are three structural isomers that might exist for C5H12 using the formula.