What is the intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered?a...
The intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered is called "skew" conformation.
Explanation:
1. Eclipsed conformation:
In the eclipsed conformation, the atoms or groups in adjacent carbon atoms are directly aligned with each other. This results in maximum steric hindrance and creates a high-energy state. The torsional strain is also maximum in this conformation.
2. Staggered conformation:
In the staggered conformation, the atoms or groups in adjacent carbon atoms are offset or staggered with respect to each other. This results in minimum steric hindrance and creates a low-energy state. The torsional strain is also minimum in this conformation.
3. Skew conformation:
The skew conformation is an intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered. In this conformation, the atoms or groups in adjacent carbon atoms are partially aligned with each other. This means that they are not completely staggered nor completely eclipsed. The torsional strain and steric hindrance in the skew conformation are higher than in the staggered conformation but lower than in the eclipsed conformation.
Importance of the skew conformation:
The skew conformation is important because it represents a transition state between the high-energy eclipsed conformation and the low-energy staggered conformation. It allows molecules to easily interconvert between these two extremes, facilitating molecular motion and flexibility.
Examples:
- In the conformational analysis of cyclohexane, the skew conformation can be observed when the molecule is in the process of interconversion between chair conformations.
- In the Newman projection of ethane, the skew conformation can be observed when the molecule is rotated halfway between the staggered and eclipsed conformations.
Conclusion:
The intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered is called the skew conformation. It represents a transition state with higher steric hindrance and torsional strain compared to the staggered conformation, but lower than the eclipsed conformation. The skew conformation plays an important role in the conformational analysis of molecules and facilitates molecular motion and flexibility.
What is the intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered?a...
The intermediate conformation between eclipsed and staggered is known as skew and gauche formations. The eclipsed form is least stable but the staggered form is the most stable due to the greater distance between the bond pairs or lesser torsional strain.