Question

Using Suitable Examples Explain the difference between

(A) Angel Strain

(B) Torsional Strain

(C) Steric Strain

Answer 1

A. Angle strain:

It is the increase in potential energy of a molecule due to bond angles deviating from the ideal angle.

Eg.

In case of cyclobutane all the carbon are tetra substituted and the ideal bond angle is 109⁰28'. But it has bond angle of 90⁰.

B. Torsional Strain:

when rotating a molecule around a bond, the repulsions caused by the electrons in between different groups when they pass by each other.

Eg. Staggered and eclipsed conformations of ethane.

C.Steric Strain:

It is the increase in potential energy of a molecule in which the repulsions which are caused by two or more different groups that are not bonded together.

Eg. 1,1 dimethyl cyclohexane in which they are attached to same carbon, there is a repulsion between two methyl groups is steric strain.