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Valence isomer

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Valence isomer

In organic chemistry, two molecules are valence isomers when they are constitutional isomers that can interconvert through pericyclic reactions.

Contents

Benzene

There are many valence isomers one can draw for the C6H6 formula benzene. Some were originally proposed for benzene itself before the actual structure of benzene was known. Others were later synthesized in lab. Some have been observed to isomerize to benzene, whereas others tend to undergo other reactions instead, or isomerize by ways other than pericyclic reactions.

  • Some known valence isomers of benzene
  • Cyclooctatetraene

    The valence isomers are not restricted to isomers of benzene. Valence isomers are also seen in the series (CH)8. Due to the larger number of units, the number of possible valence isomers is also greater and at least 21:

  • Valence isomers of cyclooctatetraene
  • Naphthalene

    Perhaps no pair of valence isomers differ more strongly in appearance than colourless naphthalene and the intensely violet azulene.

  • The valence isomers of naphthalene
  • References

    Valence isomer Wikipedia