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Origin of the gauche effect in substituted ethanes and ethenes

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100381a008· OSTI ID:5383034
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (USA)
  2. McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

1,2-Disubstituted ethanes having strongly electronegative substituents prefer the gauche conformation over the usual trans form. This is not the result of an attractive interaction in the gauche form, but rather a destabilizing interaction in the trans rotamer. The interaction appears to be the result of the formation of bent bonds, and the lower stability of a twist bent bond over that of syn bent bond. The lower energy of cis-1,2-difluoroethene as compared to its trans form may be explained in the same way.

OSTI ID:
5383034
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 94:18; ISSN 0022-3654; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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