Is eclipsed or staggered more stable?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the stability of two different conformations of molecules: eclipsed and staggered. It refers to the relative stability in terms of molecular geometry and torsional strain.
Answer
The staggered conformation is more stable.
The staggered conformation is more stable than the eclipsed conformation.
Answer for screen readers
The staggered conformation is more stable than the eclipsed conformation.
More Information
Staggered conformations minimize the repulsive interactions between bonding electron pairs of adjacent carbon atoms, resulting in lower torsional strain.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing eclipsed as being more stable due to steric considerations, but it actually has higher energy and is less stable.
Sources
- Eclipsed Conformation - britannica.com
- Why is a staggered conformer more stable than an eclipsed conformer? - socratic.org
- Stability of Conformations - Staggered (Anti & Gauche) vs Eclipsed - youtube.com
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