Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures

Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures

July 8, 2018 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between iso and neo structures is that the prefix iso refers to an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except one forming a continuous chain whereas the prefix neo refers to an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except two forming a continuous chain.

We use prefixes in organic chemistry in order to distinguish one organic molecule from another.  We use these prefixes along with the name of the compound. Since these prefixes are specific for different functional groups in organic molecules, we can easily identify organic molecules even they have closely related chemical structures.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Iso Structures
3. What is Neo Structures
4. Side by Side Comparison – Iso vs Neo Structures in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Iso Structures?

Iso is a prefix that we use to name an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except one forming a continuous chain. Therefore, we use this term when there is a single branch in the molecule. This branch occurs at the end of the carbon chain.

Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures

Figure 01: Isopropyl Group

We call this branch “terminal isopropyl group”. For example, when there is a methyl group attached to the second carbon of the carbon chain, we use the prefix iso to name this molecule. Ex: isopropyl alcohol. We can use this prefix to name compounds having a minimum of 4 carbon atoms.

What is Neo Structures?

Neo is a prefix that we use to name an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except two forming a continuous chain. This means these compounds have two branches which arise from the main carbon chain. These branches occur at the end of the molecule. We name this functional group as “terminal tert-butylgroup”.

Key Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures

Figure 02: Tert-butyl Group

Therefore, if we name a compound with the prefix neo, it means this compound we are naming has two methyl groups attached to the same carbon atom at the terminal of the carbon chain. We can use this prefix when there is a minimum of 5 carbon atoms in the carbon chain.

What is the Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures?

Iso is a prefix that we use to name an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except one forming a continuous chain. We can use this prefix to name compounds having a minimum of 4 carbon atoms. Moreover, we use the prefix “iso” to name compounds having “terminal isopropyl group”. Neo is a prefix that we use to name an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except two forming a continuous chain. We can use this prefix when there is a minimum of 5 carbon atoms in the carbon chain. In addition, we use the prefix “neo” to name compounds having “terminal tert-butyl group”.

Difference Between Iso and Neo Structures in Tabular Form

Summary – Iso vs Neo Structures

We use different prefixes in organic chemistry to name different chemical compounds. “iso”, and “neo” are such two prefixes. The difference between iso and neo structures is that the prefix iso refers to an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except one forming a continuous chain whereas the prefix neo refers to an organic compound containing all carbon atoms except two forming a continuous chain.

Reference:

1. “Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry – Common Names (n, Neo, Iso, Sec, Tert).” How to Use a Rotary Evaporator.Available here 
2. Mariya. “Mariya.” Askiitians.com, 1 Dec. 2017. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.’Isopropyl group’By Su-no-G – Own work. Made with CorelDRAW, not with ChemDraw., (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 
2.’Tert-butyl group’By Su-no-G – self work with ChemDraw, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 

Related posts:

Difference Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene GlycolDifference Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol Key Difference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic AcidDifference Between Methanoic Acid and Ethanoic Acid Difference Between Acetylene and EthyleneDifference Between Acetylene and Ethylene Difference Between Esterification and SaponificationDifference Between Esterification and Saponification Difference Between Nucleophilic and Electrophilic AdditionDifference Between Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Addition

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Comments

  1. Sacred gurukul says

    December 1, 2021 at 9:22 am

    Nice Article!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Micelles and Chylomicrons

Difference Between Micelles and Chylomicrons

Difference Between Cold Sore and Herpes

Difference Between Aardvark and Anteater

Difference Between Ground State and Excited State

Difference Between Diatribe and Pejorative

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Actinic Keratosis and Bowen’s Disease
  • What is the Difference Between Kerion and Favus
  • What is the Difference Between Corpus Callosum and Corpus Luteum
  • What is the Difference Between Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin
  • What is the Difference Between HER2 Positive and HER2 Negative
  • What is the Difference Between Hiatal Hernia and Gallbladder Pain
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.