Full Idea
Modern chemistry is not, as chemistry, purely structural. ...Thus CO2 is a different substance from SO2.
Gist of Idea
Chemistry is not purely structural; CO2 is not the same as SO2
Source
Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 6.II)
Book Reference
Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.103
A Reaction
I don't think I ever thought the chemistry was purely structural, but if you go in for the idea that reality is essentially geometrical (inspired by physics, presumably, like Ladyman) then you might make this mistake.
Related Idea
Idea 17482 Compounds can differ with the same collection of atoms, so structure matters too [Hendry]