Free interactive chemistry · SIM-STEREO-002

Conformational analysis

Rotate about a C–C bond and watch the energy change (conformations and Newman projections).

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How to use this simulation

Choose ethane or butane.
Drag the dihedral angle slider, or press “Spin”.
Watch the Newman projection and the torsional energy graph.

What to notice

Staggered forms are low in energy; eclipsed forms are high.
In butane, anti (180°) is lowest and gauche is 3.8 kJ/mol higher.

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Find the highest-energy conformation of butane. Why is it so high?

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