How do you differentiate newmans and sawhorse projection in stereochemistry?
1 Answer
Jan 16, 2017
How else but by making an actual model of the molecule?
Explanation:
Sawhorse and Newman's projections are TWO DIMENSIONAL models of a THREE DIMENSIONAL object, i.e. a molecule. Some people are good at interpreting a given 2 dimensional representation of molecular geometry, I am not one of them.
The solution? Make a molecular model. That way you can actually see how the bonds eclipse around the axis of any particular bond, and which conformation should be preferred. A molecular model set will ALWAYS be permitted in an organic chemistry exam. You still have to be able to represent a given geometry on a page.
