Organic Chemistry 1 · Functional groups and connectivity
Formula versus connectivity
Conditions: Compare neutral CH₃CH₂OH and CH₃OCH₃ with their usual valences; no reaction conditions are implied.
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The question
Which relationship is correct?
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
Correct answer Constitutional isomers with the same C₂H₆O formula but different functional groups.
They share atom counts but differ in whether O is bonded to C and H or to two carbons.
Not this one Resonance contributors of a single species.
Interconversion would require changing σ connectivity, including the O–H bond.
Not this one Different conformations of the same molecule.
Bond rotation cannot turn a C–C–O–H chain into C–O–C connectivity.
Worked solution
Both formulas contain two C, six H, and one O. In ethanol the carbons are adjacent and O bears H; in dimethyl ether O lies between the carbons. This is a graph difference, not an electron-placement or torsional difference.
What you'll practice
Compare constitutional isomers with different functional groups.
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