Question

Explain why we cannot have isomers of first three members of alkane series?

Answer 1

This is because it is not possible to branch them in different ways..... isomers are only present in fourth onward members of Alkane series

Answer 2

Explanation:

As far as structural isomers are concerned the first three members of alkane series are CH4, CH3-CH3, CH3-CH2-CH3 As it can be seen no branching is possible and symmetry exists thus structural isomerism is not possible..

Now the three them are devoid of chiral carbon because they have planes of symmetry thus there is no optical isomerism too.