Unsaturated hydrocarbons
2 marks · EasyExplain why butene (C4H8) can exist as several different structural isomers.
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Common mistakes: Mentioning chain length only, not double bond position or branching
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Marking points
M1 · 1 mark · Mentions that the position of the C=C bond can change or branching can occur.
M1 · 1 mark · Refers to isomers having the same molecular formula but different structures/arrangements.
Worked solution
Butene (C4H8) can exist as different structural isomers because the double bond can be placed in different positions (for example, between the first and second carbon, or the second and third carbon), and the carbon chain can also be branched. All these have the same molecular formula but different structures.