[Duzzy]

For the reaction X + CH3COOH ® CH3-COO–CH2-CH(CH3 ) 2 + H2O
the compound X is:
A. ethanol, B.1-propanol, C. 2-methylpropanol, D 2-butanol, E. 2-methylbutanol


I know that the answer is 2-methylpropanol but can somebody explain to me why? Aren't C and D isomers? Couldn't it technically be either C or D?

I'm trying to teach this stuff to myself but it's a pain when you come across questions like this and you don't have somebody to tell you why one is right and the other is wrong. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[AWK]

http://members.optushome.com.au/scottsoftb/gaggle1.htm

[discodermolide]

For the reaction X + CH3COOH ® CH3-COO–CH2-CH(CH3 ) 2 + H2O
the compound X is:
A. ethanol, B.1-propanol, C. 2-methylpropanol, D 2-butanol, E. 2-methylbutanol


I know that the answer is 2-methylpropanol but can somebody explain to me why? Aren't C and D isomers? Couldn't it technically be either C or D?

I'm trying to teach this stuff to myself but it's a pain when you come across questions like this and you don't have somebody to tell you why one is right and the other is wrong. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

They are not the same, see my picture: but they are isomers

[Duzzy]

so if I have a question on a test how would I go about getting the right answer? Why is C the right answer?

[discodermolide]

so if I have a question on a test how would I go about getting the right answer? Why is C the right answer?

Look at the ester part i.e. the alcohol, draw it out separately and name it and you will see if it is correct.
e.g. O-CH2-CH(CH3)2 in your example, which is 2-methylpropanol.