Conformer Definition in Chemistry

Newman projections of butane conformers and their relative energy differences.
Newman projections of butane conformers and their relative energy differences.

Keministi, Creative Commons License
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on July 03, 2019

A conformer is an isomer of a molecule that differs from another isomer by the rotation of a single bond in the molecule. A conformer is also known as a conformational isomer. The isomers that are formed are known as conformation.

Conformer Example

Butane forms three conformers with regard to its methyl (CH3) groups. Two of these are gauche conformers and one is an anti conformer. Of the three, the anti conformer is the most stable.

Source

  • Moss, GP (1996-01-01). "Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 68 (12): 2193–2222. doi:10.1351/pac199668122193
Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Conformer Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-conformer-604949. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Conformer Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-conformer-604949 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Conformer Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-conformer-604949 (accessed April 24, 2024).