Methoxy methane and ethanol are

Options

A. Functional isomers
B. Optical isomers
C. Position isomers
D. Chain isomers

Answer

To determine the relationship between methoxy methane and ethanol, we will analyze their structures and functional groups step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Molecular Formula**:
- Methoxy methane (also known as dimethyl ether) has the molecular formula \( C_2H_6O \).
- Ethanol has the molecular formula \( C_2H_6O \) as well.
- Since both compounds have the same molecular formula, they could potentially be isomers.

**Hint**: Check if the molecular formulas of the compounds are identical to determine if they can be isomers.

2. **Draw the Structures**:
- The structure of methoxy methane can be represented as:
\[ CH_3-O-CH_3 \]
- The structure of ethanol can be represented as:
\[ CH_3-CH_2-OH \]
- By drawing these structures, we can visualize the differences in their functional groups.

**Hint**: Visualizing the structures helps in identifying the types of isomers.

3. **Identify Functional Groups**:
- Methoxy methane contains an ether functional group (R-O-R').
- Ethanol contains an alcohol functional group (R-OH).
- Since they contain different functional groups, they are classified based on this difference.

**Hint**: Different functional groups indicate that the compounds could be functional isomers.

4. **Check for Chirality**:
- For optical isomers, we need to check if there are any chiral centers (carbons with four different substituents).
- In both methoxy methane and ethanol, the carbons do not have four different groups attached, indicating that neither compound is chiral.

**Hint**: Look for chiral centers to determine if the compounds can be optical isomers.

5. **Evaluate Position Isomers**:
- Position isomers have the same functional group but differ in the position of that group within the molecule.
- Since methoxy methane and ethanol have different functional groups, they cannot be position isomers.

**Hint**: Position isomers must have the same functional group but in different locations.

6. **Evaluate Chain Isomers**:
- Chain isomers differ in the arrangement of the carbon skeleton.
- Since both compounds have different functional groups, they cannot be classified as chain isomers either.

**Hint**: Chain isomers must have the same functional groups but differ in the carbon chain arrangement.

### Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, methoxy methane and ethanol are **functional isomers** because they have the same molecular formula but different functional groups.

**Final Answer**: Methoxy methane and ethanol are functional isomers.