The correct statement regarding the comparison of staggered and eclipsed conformations of ethane, is:
(1)The staggered conformation of ethane is less stable than eclipsed conformation, because staggered conformation has torsional strain.
(2)The eclipsed conformation of ethane is more stable than staggered conformation, because eclipsed conformation has no torsional strain.
(3)The eclipsed conformation of ethane is more stable than staggered conformation even though the eclipsed conformation has torsional strain.
(4)The staggered conformation of ethane is more stable than eclipsed conformation, because staggered conformation has no torsional strain.Correct
Answer: (4)
Solution
In the staggered conformation of ethane the C-H bonds on the two carbons are as far apart as possible (dihedral angle ), so the repulsion between bonding electron pairs (torsional strain) is minimal. In the eclipsed conformation (dihedral angle ) the C-H bonds are opposite each other,
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