Isomerism refers to the phenomenon where molecules with the same molecular formula have different arrangements of atoms in space. There are two main types of isomerism: constitutional isomers, which differ in the connectivity of their atoms, and stereoisomers, which vary based on their spatial orientation. Stereoisomers can further be divided into enantiomers, which are non-superimposable mirror images, and diastereomers, which are not mirror images and include cis and trans configurations.

1. What is isomerism? How many kinds are there? Define each kind and explain with examples?
What is isomerism? How many kinds are there? Define each kind and explain with examples?
Solution
The process of isomerism involves the isomers .These are basically defined as the molecules
which have the same molecular formula but they usually possess a different arrangement of the
atoms in space. They are of two types:
1.Constitutional isomers :They are defined as the compounds in which the various atoms are
connected or bonded in a different manner .They are also called as structural isomers
2.Stereoisomers:On the other hand ,they are the compounds which differ on the basis of
orientation in space.They are of two types
a)Enantiomers :They are the compounds which are usually a mirror image of one another and
thehese mirror images are also non-superimposable
b)Diastereomers :They are isomers which are not mirror images of one another.Moreover these
compounds are non-superimposable. They are of two types: cis and trans
->Cis-isomers are the isomers which usually contain atoms which are oriented on the same side
of a bond.
->On the other hand the Trans-isomers are the compounds that have atoms oriented on opposite
sides of a bond