JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3hc015
The dihedral angle between the two methyl groups of n-butane (about CX2−CX3) is changed from 180∘ to 0∘ in steps, passing through 120∘ and 60∘. The correct sequence of energy extrema encountered is
Aminimum (anti), minimum (gauche), maximum (CH3 eclipsed with H), maximum (CH3 eclipsed with CH3)
Bmaximum (anti), minimum (CH3 eclipsed with H), maximum (gauche), minimum (CH3 eclipsed with CH3)
Cminimum (anti), maximum (gauche), minimum (CH3 eclipsed with H), maximum (CH3 eclipsed with CH3)
Dminimum (anti), maximum (CH3 eclipsed with H), minimum (gauche), maximum (CH3 eclipsed with CH3)
Answer: D
At 180∘ the methyls are anti, a global minimum. At 120∘ each methyl eclipses a hydrogen, a maximum. At 60∘ the gauche form is a local minimum. At 0∘ the methyls eclipse each other, the global maximum.