Explain the isomerism exhibited by carboxylic acids.

Explanation

(i) Chain isomerism : This arises due to the difference in the carbon chain of alkyl group attached to carboxyl group. `C_(5)H_(10)O_(2)`
`underset("Pentanoic acid")(CH_(3)-CH_(2)-CH_(2)-CH_(2)-COOH)andunderset("3-methyl butanoic acid")(CH_(3)-overset(CH_(3))overset(|)(CH)-CH_(2)-COOH)`
(ii) Functional isomerism : Carboxylic acids are functional isomers of esters. `C_(3)H_(6)O_(2)`
`underset("Propanoic acid")(CH_(3)-CH_(2)-COOH)andunderset("Methyl acetate")(CH_(3)COOCH_(3))" "underset("Ethyl formate")(HCOOC_(2)H_(5))`