Question

Alcohols and ethers are structural isomers of each other, as are aldehydes and ketones. Give an example of each to illustrate. Which functional group in the Table 21.4can be structural isomers of carboxylic acids?

Short answer

Alcohols and ethers are structural isomers of each other. Example:

Aldehydes and ketones are structural isomers of each other. Example:

The structural isomers of carboxylic acids(R-COOH) are esters (RCOOR’).

Step-by-step solution

Definition of structural isomer.

Structural isomers have the same number of atoms connected differently and thus making a totally different compound.

Step2: Structural isomers of carboxylic acids.

Alcohols and ethers are structural isomers of each other as when the atoms are rotated in alcohol, they form ethers and vice-versa.

Aldehydes and ketones are also structural isomers of each other similarly.

Esters are structural isomers of carboxylic acid. The image below serves as an example.

Here, both the compounds have the same number of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.