Isomerism is the phenomenon in which molecules with the same molecular formula have different structures. In the case of ketones, isomerism occurs due to the different positions of the carbonyl group within the molecule.
The two types of isomerism in ketones are structural isomerism and stereoisomerism. Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements, while stereoisomers have the same structural formula but differ in the spatial arrangement of their atoms.
The number of carbon atoms in a ketone can affect its isomerism by changing the types of isomers that are possible. For example, a ketone with three carbon atoms can only have structural isomers, while a ketone with four or more carbon atoms can have both structural and stereoisomers.
No, ketones cannot exhibit geometric isomerism. This is because the carbon atom in the carbonyl group is bonded to two other groups, making it unable to rotate and form different geometric isomers.
Ketones with different isomers can behave differently in chemical reactions due to the differences in their structures. This can affect their reactivity and the types of products formed. For example, a ketone with a branched chain may react differently than one with a straight chain due to steric hindrance.