Constitutional (structural) isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but a different atom-to-atom bonding sequence. Since constitutional isomers have different physical properties, usually they can be separated easily from each other .
(1)
(2)Constitutional (structural) isomers may have the same carbon skeleton (The carbon skeleton shows the arrangement of carbon atoms.) with the carbonyl group in a different position.
(3)Constitutional (structural) isomers may have the same functional group and a different carbon skeleton.
These three compounds are all of the possible aldehyde and ketones having the formula C4H8O.
Constitutional isomers of the carbonyl-containing compounds C4H8O are used to illustrate different atom-to-atom bonding sequences.
(1)
(2)
Examples of this type are the constitutional isomers (1) and (2).
Aldehydes and ketones with the same molecular formula are constitutional isomers of one another.
Aldehydes and ketones with the same molecular formula are constitutional isomers of one another.
(3)
Constitutional isomer (3) is a C4H8O isomer with a carbon skeleton different from those of (1) and (2).
These three compounds are all of the possible aldehyde and ketones having the formula C4H8O.