[ritwik08]

The given compounds are:

CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-NH₂

CH₃-CH-CH₂-NH₂
       |
       CH₃

Are these two metamers ??

I think that they are. Because if two different alkyl groups are attached on either side of a particular group (Which is amine in this case) , they are metamers.

[azmanam]

We call them structural (or constitutional) isomers, now.

Wikipedia's disambiguation page:
The chemical property of having the same proportion of atomic components in different arrangements (obsolete, replaced with isomer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamerism

[ritwik08]

We call them structural (or constitutional) isomers, now.

Wikipedia's disambiguation page:
The chemical property of having the same proportion of atomic components in different arrangements (obsolete, replaced with isomer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamerism

So are these metamers?If yes, why? Is my reason correct?

[azmanam]

Metamer is an obsolete term that isn't used anymore.  You can call them metamers if you want and you'd be anachronistically correct.  But no one will know what you're talking about.  Call them structural or constitutional isomers.

[ritwik08]

Metamer is an obsolete term that isn't used anymore.  You can call them metamers if you want and you'd be anachronistically correct.  But no one will know what you're talking about.  Call them structural or constitutional isomers.

OK! But the thing is that we have the old system in our course. So could you please give me some reasons as to why these 2 compounds are metamers or constitutional isomers?

[P]

So could you please give me some reasons as to why these 2 compounds are metamers or constitutional isomers?

They have the same empirical formula, but different stuctures.

Count the C's H's and N's - you have the same number in each molecule - but the structure is clearly different.

[ritwik08]

But my teacher says that they are not metamers.
He argues that if we replace the NH2 by COOH group. Do we again call them metamers. No! Then why should we call these primary amines as metamers???

[P]

But my teacher says that they are not metamers.
He argues that if we replace the NH2 by COOH group. Do we again call them metamers. No! Then why should we call these primary amines as metamers???

what difference should that make? 

"Metamers - The chemical property of having the same proportion of atomic components in different arrangements (obsolete, replaced with isomer) " - wiki (link posted by azmanam).


If atomic components all add up the same but the structure is different then it is an isomer (metamer).  The functional group is irrelevant.

[DrCMS]

Tell you teacher to join the 21st Century and stop talking rubbish.

[P]

print out this thread and show it to him  -  see what he makes of it?

[macman104]

But my teacher says that they are not metamers.
He argues that if we replace the NH2 by COOH group. Do we again call them metamers. No! Then why should we call these primary amines as metamers???

Your teacher is saying that if you replace the NH2 group on both compounds with COOH, then the two compounds with COOH are not metamers?