In: Chemistry
1. Diagram hyperconjugation showing how it stabilizes staggered conformers of ethane.
2. Explain how this stabilizing process occurs, including the steric factors.
answer : Some points about Ethane
Ethane molecules can rotate internally around one or more of their bonds so that during a full 360o rotation, they will change between unstable and relatively stable conformations
In ethane one of its CH3 group roate around C-C bond
the molecule will alternate three times between an unstable eclipsed conformation and the preferred staggered conformation
ethane rotates towards an eclipsed structure, the electrons in C-H bonds on the different C atoms are drawing closer to each other and therefore experience increased repulsion, introducing a rotation barrier that destabilizes the eclipsed structure.
but the main thing that leads to staggered conformation is due to preferential stabilization through hyperconjugation