What are isomers?

Isomers are defined as molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms within the molecule, leading to different structural formulas. This distinction is crucial in chemistry because even slight variations in structure can result in significantly different chemical properties and behaviors of the compounds.

For example, consider the molecular formula C6H12. This formula can represent various isomers such as hexane and cyclohexane, which although they consist of the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, differ in structural arrangement—one being a straight-chain alkane and the other a cyclic alkane.

Understanding isomers is fundamental in organic chemistry as it not only highlights the diversity of organic compounds but also explains how they interact in biological systems, which is particularly relevant in a biology context.