Given two compounds, $\mathrm{CH}{3}_3\mathrm{CH}-\mathrm{OH}$ and $\mathrm{CH}{3}_3\mathrm{CO}H$, what is the relationship between them?

• A. They are chain isomers.
• B. They are stereoisomers.
• C. They are functional group isomers.
• D. They are position isomers.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formulas of both compounds. For CH\_3CH\_2OH (ethanol) and CH\_3COOH (acetic acid), determine if they have the same molecular formula.
2. Check if the compounds differ in the connectivity of atoms or in the functional groups present. Ethanol contains an alcohol (-OH) group, while acetic acid contains a carboxylic acid (-COOH) group.
3. Recall that functional group isomers have the same molecular formula but different functional groups, leading to different chemical properties.
4. Compare other types of isomerism: chain isomers differ in carbon chain arrangement, position isomers differ in the position of the same functional group, and stereoisomers differ in spatial arrangement without changing connectivity.
5. Conclude that since both compounds have the same molecular formula but different functional groups, they are functional group isomers.