Structure and Molecule Name [ENDORSED]

[Esther Han 2C]

For one lecture, we noted that two molecules can have the same number of atoms and molecular formulas, but different structures (ie, Pentane vs 2,2-Dimethylpropane). Even though pentane is the more stable structure, why is it that 2,2-Dimethylpropane can exist in the less stable structure?

[Chem_Mod]

In class I discussed the IMF between pentane molecules, and the IMF between 2,2-dimethylpropane molecules.

Nothing was discussed about the relative stability of one molecule versus another. We do this in thermodynamics in Chem 14B.