Define metamerism. What type of compounds do show it? Give an example.

Explanation

When two or more compounds having the same molecular formula and the same functional group have different types of alkyl groups attached on both sides of the bivalent or polyvalent functional group, the phenomenon is known as metamerism and such compounds are called metamers. Compounds belonging to same family and having same functional group show metamerism. Compounds differ only in the alkyl groups on both the sides of the functional group. Example, the molecular formula `C_(4)H_(10)O` represents following three ethers.