Chapter 3, Problem 34P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Out of the two staggered conformations of $\text{2-methybutane}$, the one which is more stable is to be identified and the reason for it is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

In a Newman projection, sighting down the $\text{C-C}$ bond, the front carbon atom is shown by a dot while the back carbon is shown by a circle.

Each carbon atom has three other bonds. These are placed around the carbon symmetrically.

In the most stable conformation, the bulkiest groups attached to the carbon atoms are as apart from each other as possible. This minimizes the repulsions between the atoms attached to the adjacent carbon atoms.

When the torsion angle is approximately $\text{60°}$, the spatial relation is gauche.

More the gauche interactions, less is the stability in a particular conformation.