Question

Which of the following are isomers?
(A) Ethane and propane
(B) Ethane and ethene
(C) Ethane and ethyne
(D) n-butane and isobutane

Answer 1

Hint: Isomerism is a phenomenon of organic chemistry in which more than $1$ species has the same chemical formula but different structures. Those compounds who have same chemical formula but different properties and the arrangement of atoms in their molecule are called isomers

Complete step-by-step answer:Isomerism is of two types (a) Structural and (b) Stereo. Structural isomers are the isomers in which the arrangement of atoms is in a different order having the same molecular formulas. The difference in structures depends on the order in which the atoms are arranged.
In Chain isomerism, there is a difference in the atomic arrangement of the carbon chain of the molecule. $2$ or more compounds that have the same molecular formula with different main chains, then this isomerism is called Chain isomerism.
In Positional isomerism, there is a difference in the positions that are taken by the substituent groups or atoms. This is due to the unsaturation that occurs in the chain. When the position of the functional groups in the main chain changes, then it is called position isomerism.
The molecular formula of Ethane is \[{C_2}{H_6}\] and the molecular formula of propane is ${C_3}{H_8}$. Since, molecular formula of both compounds are different, isomerism is not possible. It is also not possible in case of Ethane and ethene and ethane and ethyne, because molecular formulae of ethene and ethyne are \[{C_2}{H_4}\] and ${C_2}{H_2}$ respectively.
In case of n-butane and iso-butane the molecular formula is ${C_4}{H_{10}}$ for both Compounds. They are examples of chain isomerism. These organic compounds have $4$ carbon atoms. The rotation about the main central \[C - C\;\] bond results in $2$ different conformations for n-butane. The IUPAC name of Iso-butane is \[2 - methyl{{ }}propane\]. The isomers will be:

Therefore, option (D) is correct.

Note: There are $3$ types of Structural isomerism existing namely chain isomerism, position isomerism, and functional group isomerism. Chain isomerism is called skeletal isomerism and position isomerism is also called substituent isomerism.