isomerism

Isomerism refers to the phenomenon where two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structures or arrangements of atoms. This can lead to variations in their physical and chemical properties. There are two main types: structural isomers, which differ in how atoms are connected, and stereoisomers, which have the same connections but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms. Isomerism is important in chemistry because even slight differences in structure can result in vastly different behaviors, such as how a substance interacts with other chemicals or its biological effects.