Organic Chemistry Conformations and Molecular Structures

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on conformational analysis of alkanes and cyclohexane, as well as structural properties of alkenes and aromatic benzene rings.

Steric Interaction

A physical conflict that occurs when atoms or chemical groups get too close and hit each other, creating an energy barrier.

Eclipse Conformation

The highest energy and least stable conformation in which atomic groups directly line up with each other.

Gauche Conformation

A staggered conformation where key groups are rotated slightly apart but remain close enough to retain some steric interaction.

Anti Conformation

A staggered conformation where the two largest groups are positioned directly opposite one another, resulting in the lowest energy and maximum stability.

Boat Conformation

A nonplanar conformation of cyclohexane that sits on four legs, featuring two center hydrogens almost touching, four staggered bond conformations, and two eclipsed bond conformations.

Chair Conformation

A nonplanar conformation of cyclohexane that sits on three legs, featuring six staggered bond conformations and zero eclipsed bond conformations, making it the most stable conformation.

Ethylene

A two-carbon alkene with a double bond that prevents carbon-carbon bond rotation, resulting in a planar structure.

Benzene

A planar, six-membered carbon ring containing alternating double and single bonds with delocalized pi electrons.

Resonance

The continuous movement of pi-bond electrons around a ring, producing equivalent partial bonds across connecting points and conferring high stability to the compound.

Monosubstituted Benzene Ring

A benzene ring where one hydrogen atom has been replaced by another atom or group, resulting in only one possible isomer.

Ortho

A nomenclature term describing a disubstituted benzene ring position where two substituents are located adjacent to each other.

Meta

A nomenclature term describing a disubstituted benzene ring position where two substituents are separated by one carbon atom.

Para

A nomenclature term describing a disubstituted benzene ring position where two substituents are located directly opposite one another.