Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following Newman projections has the highest strain energy?
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the concept of strain energy in Newman projections. Strain energy arises from steric hindrance and torsional strain between atoms or groups in a molecule.
Examine each Newman projection provided. Identify the groups attached to the front and back carbon atoms in each projection.
Consider the types of strain that can occur: torsional strain, which is due to eclipsing interactions, and steric strain, which is due to the size of the groups being close together.
For each Newman projection, determine the relative positions of the groups. Eclipsed conformations generally have higher strain energy due to torsional strain compared to staggered conformations.
Compare the strain energy of each projection by evaluating the number and type of eclipsing interactions. The projection with the most significant steric and torsional interactions will have the highest strain energy.