In the staggered and eclipsed conformations of ethane, the rotation around the C-C single bond is hindered by a small energy barrier (). What is the primary cause of this barrier?

Question

In the staggered and eclipsed conformations of ethane, the rotation around the C-C single bond is hindered by a small energy barrier ($\sim 12.5 	ext{ kJ/mol}$). What is the primary cause of this barrier?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: A. The energy barrier to rotation in simple alkanes like ethane is primarily due to torsional strain, arising from the repulsive interactions of the electron clouds in eclipsed adjacent C-H bonds.

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