Introduction

In the study of organic chemistry, we come across many cases when two or more compounds are made of an equal number of like atoms. A molecular formula does not tell the nature of an organic compound; sometimes several organic compounds may have the same molecular formula.The compounds possess the same molecular formula but differ from each other in physical or chemical properties, are called isomers and the phenomenon is termed isomerism (Greek, isos = equal; meros  = parts). Since isomers have the same molecular formula, the difference in their properties must be due to different modes of the combination or arrangement of atoms within the molecule. Broadly speaking, isomerism is of two types.

i) Structural Isomerism

ii) Stereoisomerism

i)Structural isomerism:

When the isomerism is simply due to a difference in the arrangement of atoms within the molecule without any reference to space, the phenomenon is termed structural isomerism. In other words, while they have the same molecular formulas they possess different structural formulas. This type of isomerism which arises from the difference in the structure of molecules includes:

1. Chain or Nuclear Isomerism
2. Positional Isomerism
3. Metamerism
4. Functional Isomerism
5. Ring Chain Isomerism
6. Tautomerism

ii)   Stereoisomerism:

When isomerism is caused by the different arrangements of atoms or groups in space, the phenomenon is called Stereoisomerism (Greek, Stereos = occupying space). The stereoisomers have the same structural formula but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups in the molecule. In other words, stereoisomerism is exhibited by such compounds which have identical molecular structures but different configurations.

Stereoisomerism is of three types:

1. Geometrical or cis-trans isomerism.
2. Optical Isomerism.
3. Conformational isomerism.

Thus various types of isomerism could be summarised as follows.