In chemistry isomerization (also isomerisation) is the process by which one molecule is transformed into another molecule which has exactly the same atoms, but the atoms have a different arrangement e.g. A-B-C → B-A-C (these related molecules are known as isomers). In some molecules and under some conditions, isomerization occurs spontaneously. Many isomers are equal or roughly equal in bond energy, and so exist in roughly equal amounts, provided that they can interconvert relatively freely, that is the energy barrier between the two isomers is not too high. When the isomerization occurs intramolecularly it is considered a rearrangement reaction.
In n-alkanes, no carbon is bonded to more than two other carbons, giving rise to a linear chain. When a carbon is bonded to more than two other carbons, a branch is formed. The smallest branched alkane is isobutane. Notice that isobutane has the same molecular formula, C 4 H 10 , as n-butane but has a different structural formula. Two different molecules which have the same molecular formula are isomers. Isomers which differ in the connectivity of bonds are constitutional isomers, or structural isomers. Isobutane is a constitutional isomer of n-butane. The prefix "iso" indicates that branches off of the central carbon are equivalent.
The IUPAC system considers molecules in terms of a parent hydrocarbon chain with substituents attached to it. The parent is the longest continuous carbon chain in the compound, and the base name of the compound is the alkane that corresponds to the parent chain. Then, consecutively number the carbons of the parent chain in such a way that the substituents are attached to carbons with lower numbers. The name of the compound is the parent alkane prefixed by its substituents and their position numberings.
In this video Mr. Lalit Sardana(IIT-JEE AIR 243) an IITJEE trainer will be explaining you some topics like isomerising agent, iso-compounds and neo-compounds . He has done a lot of things that are above the call of duty. This video is useful for students appearing in 11th CBSE, 12th CBSE exams and for the students appering in the competitive exams like JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, VITEEE, WBJEE, KCET, J and K Engineering, MPPET, AIPMT.
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