How many structural isomers can be drawn for the non-cyclic alkanol with molecular formula C 4H10O?
Answer Details
The molecular formula of the given non-cyclic alkanol is C4H10O. To find the number of structural isomers possible, we need to draw all the possible structures with the given molecular formula.
There are three types of isomers possible:
1. Chain isomers: These isomers differ in the arrangement of the carbon chain. For C4H10O, there are two possible arrangements of the carbon chain, giving two chain isomers.
2. Positional isomers: These isomers differ in the position of the functional group (-OH) on the carbon chain. For C4H10O, there are two possible positions for the -OH group, giving two positional isomers.
3. Functional group isomers: These isomers have a different functional group. However, since we are given that the compound is an alkanol (an alcohol), there are no functional group isomers possible.
Therefore, the total number of structural isomers possible for C4H10O is the sum of chain and positional isomers, which is 2 + 2 = 4.
Hence, the answer is 4.