Different compound name with same molecular weight and molecular formula

[shefin]

Hello all

This is Shefin. I do research in Biotechnology. I presently focussed on the phytochemical details from plants. Here I came across the fact that most plants contains different compounds having the same molecular formula and molecular weight. Why is it so? and What is it called? what will we say for different compounds having same molecular formula and molecular weight.

Thank you in advance.

Shefin

[ShannonAtHome]

Shefin,
I am no chemical genius, but I think that organic chemistry is what you are concerned with, since plants utilize a lot of carbon-compound chemicals. In organic (carbon-based) chemistry, much of the naming and function of the chemical has to do with where the carbon and other atoms attch (on the first, second, third atom, etc) to create the molecule. Imagine having a bucket of Legos that had only 4 different shapes, but you could combine the Legos in any number of ways to create millions of different shapes. Though you may use the same Lego shapes (atoms) they would all be able to combine differently, and each different combination would have its own name! Does that help?