Are methyl n-propyl ether and methyl iso-propyl ether metamers?

Question

Are methyl n-propyl ether and methyl iso-propyl ether metamers?
It says so here.

So the difference must be in number of carbon atoms or the distribution?

Definition(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metamerism)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamerism I agree with @lighthart. Metamerism seem to be a limited definition of isomerism. As so it's chosen to be obsolete, you mustn't worry about it. — M.A.R., Mar 27 '15 at 18:25

score 6 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 27 '15 at 16:56

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The term metamer is equivalent to isomer. Isomers differ in connectivites of atoms between molecules with the identical number and type of atoms.

Methyl n-propoyl Ether and methyl iso-propyl ether have the same numbers of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

As an aside, I have never heard the term metamer before, I expect it is archaic.

edited Mar 27 '15 at 16:56

Curt F.

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answered Mar 27 '15 at 16:30

Lighthart

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Did you check that link? It has a definition. – ChemExchange Mar 27 '15 at 16:40
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Neither have I. It isn't in the Gold Book either. – Klaus-Dieter Warzecha Mar 27 '15 at 16:52
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metamerism @KlausWarzecha – ChemExchange Mar 27 '15 at 16:55
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@ChemExchange Irrelevant! No IUPAC, no cigar. – Klaus-Dieter Warzecha Mar 27 '15 at 16:58
@KlausWarzecha Okay – ChemExchange Mar 27 '15 at 16:59
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I think metamer has an interesting specification: it has to have the same molecular formula and the same functional group. While we could just say "isomeric ethers" or something, I think it's a cool concept, but I'll probably never use it, and it doesn't make much difference as far as this question goes. Now if the question had been about 1-methoxypropane and 2-methyl-1-propanol, that would come into play. – SendersReagent Apr 28 '16 at 03:42

score 5 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 16 '17 at 07:40

Compounds having the same molecular formula but different number of carbon atoms ( alkyl groups) on either side of functional group ( i.e., $\ce{-O-,-S-, -NH-, -C(=O)-}$) are called metamers and the phenomenon is called metamerism. metamerism occurs amongst the members of the same homologus family.

For example:

$\ce{CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3}$ is a metamer of $\ce{CH3-O-CH2CH2CH3}$ OR $\ce{CH3-O-CH(CH3)2}$
$\ce{CH3CH2COCH2CH3}$ is a metamer of $\ce{CH3COCH2CH2CH3}$ OR $\ce{CH3COCH(CH3)2}$

It may be noted that metamers may also be position isomers, e.g., pentan-2-one and pentan-3-one may be regarded as position isomers as well as metamers.

Quoting from Wikipedia without mentioning the source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamerism — Martin - マーチン, Jul 04 '19 at 14:29

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 28 '16 at 03:18

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It is a type of positional isomerism in which functional group changes its position in the backbone of parent chain,methyl propyl ether and methylisoptopyl ether are metamers from Above def.

answered Apr 28 '16 at 03:18

Rahul

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Are methyl n-propyl ether and methyl iso-propyl ether metamers?

3 Answers3

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