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Organic Chemistry

Theories on Covalent Bond Formation

Dalton, in 1804, in his work on ‘Atomic Theory,’ proposed the law of chemical combination to explain how atoms form compounds. According to him, atoms of different elements combine in a simple whole-number ratio to give compounds.

For example, two Hydrogen and one Oxygen combine to form water (H2O), or four Hydrogens and one Carbon combine to form methane (CH4), or one Nitrogen combines with three Hydrogens to give ammonia (NH3).

Difference Between Structural Isomers and Stereoisomers

Structural Isomerism

Stereoisomerism

Isomers have the same molecular formula but differ in how the atoms are bonded to each other.

Isomers have the same molecular formula and bonding arrangement; however, they differ in how the atoms are arranged in 3-dimensional space (spatial orientation) with respect to each other.

Such molecules that differ by bonds while still having the same molecular formula are also known as constitutional isomers.