What is the Difference Between Prototropy and Tautomerism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Prototropy and tautomerism are related concepts in organic chemistry. The key difference between them is:
- Prototropy: It is a type of tautomerism where the relocation of a proton occurs. It is the most common form of tautomerism and is also known as prototropic tautomerism. Prototropy can be considered a subset of acid-base behavior, and prototropic tautomers are isomers that undergo isomeric protonation states with the same empirical formula and total charge.
- Tautomerism: It is a concept in organic chemistry that describes the conversion of one structural isomer (constitutional isomer) of a chemical compound into another. Tautomerization is the process of converting one tautomer into another. Tautomerism is reversible and usually occurs due to the relocation of a hydrogen atom within the compound.
In summary, prototropy is a specific type of tautomerism that involves the relocation of a proton, while tautomerism is a broader concept that encompasses the interconversion of structural isomers, which can be facilitated by various factors, including acid-base reactions or the relocation of hydrogen atoms.
Comparative Table: Prototropy vs Tautomerism
Here is a table comparing prototropy and tautomerism:
Feature | Prototropy | Tautomerism |
---|---|---|
Definition | Prototropy is a type of tautomerism where the relocation of a proton occurs. | Tautomerism is a concept in organic chemistry that describes the conversion of one structural isomer to another. |
Forms | Prototropy discusses two forms of a molecule that differ from each other only in the position of a proton. | Tautomerism encompasses various forms of a molecule that differ in the position of one or more atoms. |
Subset | Prototropy is a subset of acid-base behavior. | Tautomerism is a broader concept that includes prototropy as one of its types. |
Examples | Imine-enamine tautomerism, keto-enol tautomerism. | Enol-keto tautomerism, imine-amine tautomerism, amide-iminol tautomerism. |
Prototropy and tautomerism are closely related terms, with prototropy being a specific type of tautomerism. The key difference between the two is that prototropy discusses two forms of a molecule that differ from each other only in the position of a proton, while tautomerism describes the conversion of one structural isomer to another, which can include various forms of a molecule that differ in the position of one or more atoms.
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- Fluxionality vs Tautomerism
- Resonance vs Tautomerism
- Prochirality vs Prostereoisomerism
- Auxotrophs vs Prototrophs
- Position Isomerism vs Metamerism
- Isomerization vs Hydroisomerization
- Autoionization vs Autoprotolysis
- Chain Isomerism vs Position Isomerism
- Protic vs Aprotic Solvents
- Isomerization vs Aromatization
- Diastereomers vs Enantiomers
- Enantiotropic vs Monotropic
- Thermodynamics vs Kinetics
- Protium vs Deuterium
- Chemical Kinetics vs Thermodynamics
- Synthesis Reaction vs Substitution Reaction
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- Thermochemistry vs Thermodynamics