Question:medium
Which of the following compounds can show metamerism?
Which of the following compounds can show metamerism?
Show Hint
Ethers commonly show metamerism because oxygen can connect two different alkyl groups.
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
- Propanal
- Propanone
- Methoxyethane
- Ethanol
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Metamerism is a type of structural isomerism that arises due to the unequal distribution of carbon atoms (alkyl groups) on either side of a polyvalent functional group.
A polyvalent functional group is one that is attached to more than one carbon atom, effectively sitting "inside" the carbon chain. Examples include the ether group (\(-O-\)), ketone group (\(-CO-\)), and secondary amine group (\(-NH-\)).
Monovalent groups like aldehydes (\(-CHO\)), carboxylic acids (\(-COOH\)), and primary alcohols (\(-OH\) at the end) cannot show metamerism.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate each option:
1. Propanal (\(CH_{3}CH_{2}CHO\)): This is an aldehyde. The functional group is monovalent and always appears at the end of the chain. It cannot exhibit metamerism.
2. Propanone (\(CH_{3}COCH_{3}\)): This is a ketone, which is a polyvalent group. However, to show metamerism, a ketone must have at least four carbons so that the alkyl groups can be redistributed (e.g., Diethyl ketone vs. Methyl propyl ketone). Propanone has only 3 carbons, so only one arrangement is possible: methyl on both sides.
3. Methoxyethane (\(CH_{3}-O-C_{2}H_{5}\)): This is an ether. Ethers are the most classic examples of metamerism. While methoxyethane (3 carbons) doesn't have a metamer with 3 carbons (you need at least 4 carbons, like Ethoxyethane and Methoxypropane), the *class* of compound is what the question is targeting. Among the options, only ethers and ketones are polyvalent.
Wait, let's re-read carefully. The question asks which *can* show metamerism. Between an aldehyde, a small ketone, an alcohol, and an ether, the ether is the most correct functional class.
4. Ethanol (\(CH_{3}CH_{2}OH\)): This is a primary alcohol. The \(-OH\) group is monovalent. It cannot show metamerism.
Methoxyethane is an ether, and ethers are the primary functional group associated with metamerism in introductory organic chemistry.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Methoxyethane is the correct choice because it belongs to the ether family, which possesses the polyvalent functional group required for metamerism.
This is Option (C).
Metamerism is a type of structural isomerism that arises due to the unequal distribution of carbon atoms (alkyl groups) on either side of a polyvalent functional group.
A polyvalent functional group is one that is attached to more than one carbon atom, effectively sitting "inside" the carbon chain. Examples include the ether group (\(-O-\)), ketone group (\(-CO-\)), and secondary amine group (\(-NH-\)).
Monovalent groups like aldehydes (\(-CHO\)), carboxylic acids (\(-COOH\)), and primary alcohols (\(-OH\) at the end) cannot show metamerism.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate each option:
1. Propanal (\(CH_{3}CH_{2}CHO\)): This is an aldehyde. The functional group is monovalent and always appears at the end of the chain. It cannot exhibit metamerism.
2. Propanone (\(CH_{3}COCH_{3}\)): This is a ketone, which is a polyvalent group. However, to show metamerism, a ketone must have at least four carbons so that the alkyl groups can be redistributed (e.g., Diethyl ketone vs. Methyl propyl ketone). Propanone has only 3 carbons, so only one arrangement is possible: methyl on both sides.
3. Methoxyethane (\(CH_{3}-O-C_{2}H_{5}\)): This is an ether. Ethers are the most classic examples of metamerism. While methoxyethane (3 carbons) doesn't have a metamer with 3 carbons (you need at least 4 carbons, like Ethoxyethane and Methoxypropane), the *class* of compound is what the question is targeting. Among the options, only ethers and ketones are polyvalent.
Wait, let's re-read carefully. The question asks which *can* show metamerism. Between an aldehyde, a small ketone, an alcohol, and an ether, the ether is the most correct functional class.
4. Ethanol (\(CH_{3}CH_{2}OH\)): This is a primary alcohol. The \(-OH\) group is monovalent. It cannot show metamerism.
Methoxyethane is an ether, and ethers are the primary functional group associated with metamerism in introductory organic chemistry.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Methoxyethane is the correct choice because it belongs to the ether family, which possesses the polyvalent functional group required for metamerism.
This is Option (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0
Top Questions on Organic Chemistry
- Product of the following reaction is:
- VITEEE - 2024
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- The IUPAC name for
- VITEEE - 2024
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Which of the following is the major product of the reaction between 1-bromobutane and potassium hydroxide in ethanol?
- VITEEE - 2025
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- (A) (i) Define a homologous series of carbon compounds.
(ii) Why is the melting and boiling points of \(C_4H_8\) higher than that of \(C_3H_6\) or \(C_2H_4\)?
(iii) Why do we NOT see any gradation in chemical properties of a homologous series compounds?
(iv) Write the name and structures of (i) aldehyde and (ii) ketone with molecular formula \(C_3H_6O\).OR
(B) (i) Write the name and structure of an organic compound ‘X’ having two carbon atoms in its molecule and its name is suffixed with ‘-ol’.
(ii) What happens when ‘X’ is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at 443 K? Write chemical equation for the reaction stating the conditions for the reaction. Also state the role played by concentrated sulphuric acid in the reaction.
(iii) Name and draw the electron dot structure of hydrocarbon produced in the above reaction.- CBSE Class X - 2024
- Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Want to practice more? Try solving extra ecology questions todayView All Questions