C3H8O Isomers Examples, Structures
Different isomers can be drawn for the chemical formula of C3H8O. Because, this chemical formula contains only three carbon atoms, there cannot be lot of isomer structures. However, isomer structures may have different physical and chemical properties.
In this tutorial, we will discuss followings.
Isomers of C3H8O
There are three isomers for and they belongs two types of organic compounds; alcohols and ether.
- n-propanol / 1-propanol / propanol (Alcohol)
- iso-propanol / Isopropyl alcohol (Alcohol)
- Ethyl methyl ether / Methoxyethane (Ether)
Physical properties of C3H8O
According to the above table, it is clear that physical properties are different for each structure.
- Though ethyl methyl ether is a gas at room temperature, n-propanol and iso-propanol are liquids.
Melting and boiling points of n-propanol and iso-propanol and ethyl methyl ether
- Also, boiling point of ethyl methyl ether is much less than n-propanol and iso-propanol.
- Because ethyl methyl ether cannot make hydrogen bonds such as n-propanol and iso-propanol, melting and boiling points of ethyl methyl ether becomes a much low value.
Solubility in water
Because n-propanol and iso-propanol can form hydrogen bonds in water and those molecules are small, they are soluble in water. But, because ethyl methyl ether is unable to make hydrogen bonds with water, it is not soluble in water.
Chemical properties of C3H8O
usually, ether compounds are much less reactive comparably to alcohol compounds.
- Both n-propanol and iso-propanol reacts with sodium metal and emit hydrogen gas. But ethyl methyl ether does not react with sodium.
Questions
Is C3H8O organic or inorganic?
There is carbon and hydrogen in the given chemical formula. Because of that, all isomers possible for this chemical formula refer to only organic compounds.
Is all C3H8O isomers have same boiling point?
No, atomic distribution of each isomer is different. Therefore, intermolecular forces between molecules is different from one isomer to another isomer. Because boiling point is a physical property and it depends on the strength of intermolecular force, isomers have different boiling points.