of the cycloalkane with the value calculated using average bond energies. Molecular mechanics calculations are well suited to identify the many conformations occurring particularly in medium rings.

Ring strain is highest for cyclopropane, in which the carbon atoms form a triangle and therefore have C-C-C bond angles. There are also three pairs of eclipsed hydrogens. The ring strain is calculated to be around 120 kJ mol⁻¹.

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