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Anti
A staggered conformation where two large groups are placed in their most stable positions at a dihedral angle of 180 degrees. Also refers generally to any geometrically arrangement of groups in opposing positions.
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Conformation
Different 3-dimensional shapes that can be taken by a molecule by rotating about single bonds.
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Dihedral angle
Angle formed between two bonds on neighboring atoms in a Newman projection.
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Eclipsed
A conformation where bonds have dihedral angles of zero degrees. This typically maximizes the energy.
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Gauche
A staggered conformation where large groups at a dihedral angle of 60 degrees repel each other.
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Newman projection
A depiction of the conformation of a molecule where it is viewed down the atoms of a particular bond.
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Staggered
A conformation where bonds have dihedral angles of sixty degrees. This typically minimizes the energy.
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Steric hindrance
Repulsion between the electron clouds on bulky groups of a molecule or between molecules.
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Syn
Steric hindrance between terminal methyl groups in a system of at least five carbon centers. Also a generic term describing groups oriented in the same direction; i.e. the opposite of anti.
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Torsional strain
Resistance to rotation about a single bond caused by steric hindrance of eclipsing interactions.
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Torsional energy
The energy it takes to overcome torsional strain, or the difference in energy between eclipsed and staggered conformations.
