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Grade 10Organic Chemistry

Hi,
is there a math formula for determining the number of Isomers?
eg. if I have an alkane c6div4 I am told there are 4 isomers which I can find but what if you are asked to provide all isomers for say c10h22? It would be useful to know how many I need to find mathematically.
Thanks and regards,
medhane

Profile image of medhane haile
9 Years agoGrade 10
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1 Answer

Profile image of Soni
9 Years ago
No dear there is no formula to find no. of isomers as such coz the no. of ways to branch generally differs from one another.So the only way is to draw them on the paper and this method of practising will surely help as you study GOC in depth.
 
I know for the first 10 Alkanes:

 
  1. Methane: 1
  2. Ethane: 1
  3. Propane: 1
  4. Butane: 2
  5. Pentane: 3
  6. Hexane: 5
  7. Heptane: 9
  8. Octane: 18
  9. Nonane: 35
  10. Decane: 75