Topic 12: Alkane Conformations - Ethane and Butane

12.1What is a conformation? Are two conformations isomers of each other?
 
12.2Explain the terms staggered and eclipsed in relation to ethane conformations. How do these terms relate to common usage of these words in English?
 
12.3What is a Newman projection, and what is it good for? What are its key features?
 
12.4How is the conformational “landscape” (as illustrated in an energy diagram, for example) for rotation about the C2-C3 bond of butane different from that for ethane?
 
12.5Explain the terms gauche and anti in relation to the conformations of butane involving rotation about the C2-C3 bond. What does gauche mean in French? Why would organic chemists choose these two specific terms? How are these conformations related in terms of energy? Why?
 
5 questions
364 questions for Organic I

364 Questions for Organic I

Dearest Student. This web page is a set of questions I call Detailed Intended Learning Outcomes For Organic Chemistry (Part I). Some time ago I asked myself, "Bob, what do you think are the key questions that you hope students will be able to answer after taking Chemistry 247 at St. Olaf College?" So here you have them. Some are very simple; some require more thought. All are good questions to be thinking about as you read, discuss, and master the practical aspects of organic chemistry. They are discussion starters and review tips. There are no answers here (though there are some clues). The questions are here to help you focus on what's important (to me, at least!) and organize your learning process. The questions are grouped into topics. Bite-size chunks. Take them a few at a time. Don't feast on them all at one sitting!

(preliminary version 2021.01.15 feeback: Bob Hanson)