Conformational Analysis

Question

Most stable conformation of n-butane is:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Types of Strain**:
   - **Torsional Strain**: Repulsion between electron clouds of eclipsed bonds.
   - **Steric Strain**: Physical crowding of bulky groups ($e.g.,$ methyl masses).
2. **Conformations of Butane**:
   - **Eclipsed ($0^\circ$)**: Maximum strain (highest energy).
   - **Gauche ($60^\circ$)**: Staggered but methyl groups are close, causing some steric strain.
   - **Anti ($180^\circ$)**: Staggered and large methyl groups are as far apart as possible.
3. **Stability**: The **Anti-conformation** maximizes distances between bulky methyl groups, minimizing both torsional and steric strain.
4. **Result**: It is the global energy minimum (most stable).

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Conformational Analysis

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