Structural isomers of ester with molecular formula C6H12O2

To determine the number of structural isomers of ester with the molecular formula C6H12O2, we need to consider the different ways the atoms can be arranged within the molecule while following the given parent name, which is methanoate.

Parent name: Methanoate
The parent name "methanoate" indicates that the ester has a carbon chain with one carbon atom attached to the carbonyl group (C=O), and the remaining carbon atoms are part of the alkyl group.

Step 1: Determine the carbon chain
Since the molecular formula is C6H12O2, we can deduce that the carbon chain consists of six carbon atoms.

Step 2: Arrange the carbon atoms
To generate different structural isomers, we need to arrange the six carbon atoms in different ways. Let's consider the different possibilities:

1. Straight chain: The six carbon atoms can be arranged in a straight chain.
2. Branched chain: The six carbon atoms can be arranged in a branched chain.

Step 3: Straight chain isomers
In the straight chain isomers, the carbon atoms are arranged in a continuous straight line. Let's consider the different possibilities:

1. Methanoate (Methyl formate): CH3COOCH3
2. Ethyl methanoate: CH3COOCH2CH3
3. Propyl methanoate: CH3COOCH2CH2CH3
4. Butyl methanoate: CH3COOCH2CH2CH2CH3

Step 4: Branched chain isomers
In the branched chain isomers, the carbon atoms are arranged in a branched manner. Let's consider the different possibilities:

1. Isopropyl methanoate: CH3COOCH(CH3)2
2. Isobutyl methanoate: CH3COOCH(CH3)CH2CH3
3. tert-Butyl methanoate: CH3COOCH(CH3)3

Total number of structural isomers
By considering both the straight chain and branched chain isomers, we can count a total of 8 structural isomers for the ester with the molecular formula C6H12O2 and the parent name methanoate.

In all of these structures, methanoate carboxylic acid part is fixed and structural isomers of the alcohol part of the ester are formed.