Question

Fill in the blanks:
Ethylbenzene is __________ isomer to xylenes.

Answer 1

Hint: We know that two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different chemical and physical properties; they are called isomers and the phenomenon is known as isomerism. They are also known as nuclear isomers and the phenomena are known as chain isomerism or nuclear isomerism.

Complete answer:
If the compound has the same molecular formula but different structures i.e., different arrangements of atoms within the molecule are called structural isomers and the phenomena is known as structural isomerism. Whereas the compounds having the same structural formula but have a different relative arrangement of atoms or groups in space are called stereoisomers and the phenomena are known as stereoisomerism. Structural isomers are of six types. Chain isomers are part of structural isomers and are defined as the compounds that have the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of the carbon chain within the molecule.
Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon which is widely used in industry and medical technology as a solvent. It is a colourless and sweet-smelling liquid or gas which occurs naturally in petroleum, coal and wood tar, and is named so since it is found in crude wood spirit. It has a chemical formula of \[{{C}_{6}}{{H}_{4}}{{\left( C{{H}_{3}} \right)}_{2}}\] and is called dimethyl benzene since it contains a six-carbon ring to which two methyl groups are attached. It exists in three different isomeric forms named ortho-, Meta- and para-xylene. Thus, Ethyl benzene is chain isomer to xylenes.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Remember that the xylene is an essential petrochemical that is produced by the process of catalytic reforming and by coal carbonization in the coke fuel manufacturing. It also occurs in the crude oil in concentrations of around \[0.5\] to \[1\%,\] depending on the source. Small quantities of \[{{C}_{8}}{{H}_{10}}\] occur in gasoline and aircraft fuels as well.