Conformational isomerism is actually an isomerism that rotates free around single bond. Stereoisomers which can be converted into one another by the twisting of a central carbon-carbon σ bond are called as conformational isomers and sometimes they frequently interconverting rapidly at room temperature. Hydrocarbon alkanes usually present conformation isomerism due to the presence of C-C bonds. C-C σ bonds rotate to give different shapes to a molecule like eclipsed form, staggered and anti form, and staggered and gauche form. In conformations of non-cyclic alkanes, names are given to two distinct conformations, eclipsed conformation and staggered conformation. C-H bonds on each carbon fully overlap with one another at minimum distance, highest energy structure is …show more content…
Ring-flipping process happens as it converts to a twist boat conformation and next to a new chair conformation. Carbon number one flips to point up for the purpose achieving a twist boat form. Then, carbon number 4 can flip to point down to achieve another chair conformation. When carbons which opposite position flip like this, interconverting all axial and equatorial bonds; that is, all axial forms become equatorial forms while all equatorial forms become axial forms.
Chair conformer of cyclohexane has 7 kcal/mol which is more stable compared to boat conformer of cyclohexane because destabilization of boat forms of cyclohexane by torsional strain due to the hydrogens on the four carbon atoms in the plane are eclipsed. In addition, Flagpole hydrogen, two hydrogens at either end of boat forms, approaching one another too close and cause some steric strain. Position in equatorial form has more possibility than axial form, thus larger substituents are considered to be more stable in equatorial position. Ascending stability is chair > twist boat > boat > half chair. Conformational analysis can be said to be the study of many properties of