Question

Question: Classify each pair of compounds as isomers or resonance structures

a.

b.

Short answer

Answer

1. Isomers

1. Resonance structures

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step Solution Step 1: Identify the isomers

Isomers are distinct compounds with a similar molecular formula; for the same molecular formula, the elements’ arrangement differs in different isomers.

Identify the resonance structures

Resonance structures differ only in the position of electrons and multiple bonds. The position of different elements remains the same in all resonance structures of the compound

Differentiate between the given compounds as isomers and resonance structures

a. In the given pair of compounds, the arrangement of elements is different. From the explanation of resonance structures, it is clear that the resonance structures cannot differ in the respective position of atoms.

Pairs of isomers

b. The given pair of compounds differ only in the position of the lone pair of electrons and the multiple bonds. Hence, the given pairs are resonance structures

Pairs of resonance structures