<P> For two molecules to be functional isomers , they must contain key groups of atoms arranged in particular ways . Some of the best examples come from organic chemistry . C H O is a molecular formula . Depending on how the atoms are arranged , it can represent two different compounds dimethyl ether CH - O - CH or ethanol CH CH - O-H . Dimethyl ether and ethanol are functional isomers . The first is an ether . The carbon chain - oxygen - carbon chain functionality is called an ether . The second is an alcohol . The carbon chain - oxygen - hydrogen functionality is called an alcohol . </P>
<P> For two molecules to be functional isomers , they must contain key groups of atoms arranged in particular ways . Some of the best examples come from organic chemistry . C H O is a molecular formula . Depending on how the atoms are arranged , it can represent two different compounds dimethyl ether CH - O - CH or ethanol CH CH - O-H . Dimethyl ether and ethanol are functional isomers . The first is an ether . The carbon chain - oxygen - carbon chain functionality is called an ether . The second is an alcohol . The carbon chain - oxygen - hydrogen functionality is called an alcohol . </P>
structural formula for an alcohol that is an isomer of diethyl ether
structural formula for an alcohol that is an isomer of diethyl ether
CH CH - O-H
CH CH - O-H