Consider the following compounds:

Which are isomers?

Question

Consider the following compounds:

Which are isomers?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Let’s break down what the question is asking. It shows three structural drawings labeled I, II, and III and asks which ones are isomers of each other. The concept of isomers means that two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different connectivity or arrangement of atoms.

Option A: "II and III only". If II and III were the only isomers, that would imply I has a different molecular formula from II and III. However, the typical teaching example with three displayed C5 or C6 hydrocarbon layouts often sets I as a straight-chain isomer and II and III as branched isomers of the same formula. Without the exact formula written, we can still assess that if II and III are branched forms of the same skeleton, I would plausibly share the same formula as well. Thus claiming only II and III would be incorrect when I is also a member of the same set of isomers.

Option B: "I, II and III". This option asserts that all three structures share the same molecular formula, each representing a different arrangement (a straight-chain form and one or more branched forms). If the drawings are, as typical in these problems, all hydrocarbons with the same number of carbons arranged differently, this would make I, II, and III mutually isomeric. The strength of this option lies in recognizing that isomerism encompasses multiple distinct connectivity patterns for the same formula, including straight-chain and branched variants.

Option C: "I and II only". If I and II are isomers but III is not, that would require III to have a different molecular formula or a different connectivity that does not qualify as an isomer of I and II. Given the common setup where three shown structures are alternative representations of the same formula (straight-chain and branched forms), this option would be incorrect because it excludes III.

Option D: "I and III only". Similarly, this would imply II is not an isomer with I and III, which contradicts the typical teaching pattern where all presented structures are compared as potential isomers of the same formula. If II were excluded, it would mean II has a different formula or a disqualifying feature, which is unlikely in the standard isomer comparison scenario.

In summary, the reasoning hinges on whether all three drawings depict hydrocarbons with identical molecular formulas arranged differently. The common educational setup for these diagrams is to demonstrate several isomers of the same formula, including a straight-chain form and one or more branched forms. Consequently, options that exclude any one of the three (A, C, or D) are misrepresenting the set of isomers. The most comprehensive option that aligns with the usual isomer-trio pattern is the one stating all three—I, II and III—are isomers of each other.

Consider the following compounds: Which are isomers?

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