C₃H₆O Isomers | Functional, Structural, Aliphatic, Cyclic

For C₃H₆O chemical formula, we can draw different isomers. C₃H₆O is a chemical formula for several organic compounds. Therefore, there should be different isomers. Aldehyde compounds, ketone compounds, cyclic alcohol compounds and more isomers can be drawn for C₃H₆O.

Which isomers can be drawn for C₃H₆O

By observing the molecular formula C₃H₆O, there are three elements; Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Because oxygen is included as an element, we can try to draw following organic compound types (only one oxygen atom is included) if possible.

• Ether
• Alcohols
• Carbonyl compounds (Aldehydes and Ketones)

Which isomers cannot be drawn for C₃H₆O?

• Because there are only three carbon atoms, we are unable to draw benzene substituted isomers.
• Aliphatic alcohol compounds which has only the alcohol group as the only functional group is impossible to draw. But, drawing isomers of aliphatic alcohol compounds which have an alkene group too is possible.
• As previous case, ether isomers which has only ether group are also impossible because ratio of number of hydrogen atoms to number of carbon atoms is low. But, we can try to draw ether compounds which includes an alkene group.

---

Aliphatic isomers of C₃H₆O

As aliphatic isomers, we can draw aldehyde and ketones for C₃H₆O. In aldehyde and ketone isomers, position of carbonyl group is changed.

Propanal - Aldehyde isomer of C₃H₆O

Propanal (CH₃CH₂CHO) is the only aldehyde isomer, can be drawn for molecular formula C₃H₆O. In propanal, carbonyl group is located at the carbon atom at the end of carbon chain.

Propanone (Acetone) - Ketone isomer of C₃H₆O

When carbon structure is changed in propanal, you will get propanone (CH₃COCH₃), the only ketone possible for C₃H₆O. When carbonyl group is located at the carbon atom which is located at the carbon atom which is at middle of the carbon chain.

Isomers which has an alkene group and alcohol group

These isomers contains an alkene group and an alcohol group in the carbon chain. These compounds are defined as enols. Following isomers can be drawn for such cases by changing the positions of the double bond and the alcohol group.

• prop-2-en-1-ol
• Prop-1-en-1-ol
• Prop-1-en-2-ol

---

Cyclic isomers of C₃H₆O

There are several cyclic isomers for C₃H₆O. Under cyclic structures, cyclic alcohols and cyclic ether compounds can be drawn.

Cyclic alcohols for C₃H₆O

As a cyclic isomer, cyclopropanol is the only structure we can draw.

Cyclic ether compounds for C₃H₆O

• Oxetane
• Propelyne oxide

---

Questions asked by students

Ask your question and find the answer free.

Are there alcohol isomers for C₃H₆O?

Yes. But they are cyclic alcoholic isomers.

Are there any isomer which reacts with sodium?

Yes. Cyclic alcoholic isomers of C₃H₆O react with sodium. Other isomers, aldehydes and ketones do not react with sodium.

What are the functional group isomers of C₃H₆O

We can find different isomers for which gas different functional groups: aldehyde, ketone, cyclic alcohol, enols (there is an alkene group and an alcohol group together in the carbon chain).

---

Related tutorials