Butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol are examples of

  • A. chain isomers
  • B. functional group isomers
  • C. position isomers
  • D. geometric isomers

Explanation

The carbon skeleton and the functional group are the same in both, and only the position of the hydroxyl group along the chain differs, which defines position isomerism. Chain isomers differ in the branching of the skeleton, and functional group isomers carry different groups altogether, as an alcohol and an ether do. Position isomerism is why butan-1-ol oxidises to an aldehyde while butan-2-ol gives a ketone.

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