Note that butane has two possible isomers but that decane has 75 possible isomers. Why does the number of possible isomers go up with an increasing number of carbon atoms?

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Chemistry

Caitlin Eaton

19 May, 21:44

Note that butane has two possible isomers but that decane has 75 possible isomers. Why does the number of possible isomers go up with an increasing number of carbon atoms?

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Slade Massey · Answer 1

Because the number of constitutional, conformational, and geometric isomers goes up with each carbon atom added. There are many more possible configurations and connectivities possible with decane, a 10 carbon chain, than with butane, a 4 carbon chain.