What are the three types of isomers?

The three types of isomers are structural isomers, stereoisomers, and geometric isomers.

Structural isomers differ in the connectivity of their atoms; that is, they have the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of how the atoms are bonded together. For example, butane and isobutane both have the formula C4H10, but they have different structures.

Stereoisomers, on the other hand, have the same connectivity but differ in the spatial arrangement of their atoms. This category includes both geometric isomers, which are specifically related to the orientation of groups around a double bond or in a ring structure, and optical isomers (enantiomers), which are non-superimposable mirror images of each other due to the presence of chiral centers.

Geometric isomers, typically classified under stereoisomers, arise from the restricted rotation around double bonds or within cyclic structures, leading to distinct physical properties.

By recognizing these categories, one understands how molecules can exhibit different properties and behaviors purely based on their structural and spatial arrangements.