Calculate strain energy for the conformer pictured below, using strain energy in

Question

Calculate strain energy for the conformer pictured below, using strain energy increments from the table.

(Calculate your answer to the nearest 0.1 energy unit, and be sure to specify units, kJ/mol or kcal/mol. The answer is case sensitive.)

Confused on how to calculate.

Strain Energy for Alkanes Interaction / Compound kJ/mol kcal/mol H : H eclipsing 4.0 1.0 H : CH3 eclipsing 5.8 1.4 CH3 : CH3 eclipsing 11.0 2.6 gauche butane 3.8 0.9 cyclopropane 115 27.5 cyclobutane 110 26.3 cyclopentane 26.0 6.2 cycloheptane 26.2 6.3 cyclooctane 40.5 9.7

Explanation / Answer

A structural stress within a molecule that is not present in some reference compound. Strain energy is relative. There must always be a reference state.

For the given campound eclipsed form of pentane can be considered.

In eclipsed form there are three CH3-H eclipsing bonds

Hence from the above table, the relative strain energy = 5.8*3 kj/mole = 17.4 kj/mole

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.