Strain energy

For strain energy of structures, see Energy principles in structural mechanics.

In a molecule, strain energy is released when the constituent atoms are allowed to rearrange themselves in a chemical reaction or a change of chemical conformation in a way that:

• angle strain,
• torsional strain,
• ring strain and/or steric strain,
• Allylic strain, and
• pentane interference

Additional recommended knowledge

What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

are reduced ^[1] .

For example, the heat of combustion of cyclopropane (696 kJ/mol) is higher than that of propane (657 kJ/mol) per methylene unit.

Compounds with unusually large strain energy include tetrahedranes, propellanes, cubanes, fenestranes and cyclophanes.

References

1. ^ March's Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure Michael B. Smith, Jerry March Wiley-Interscience, 5th edition, 2001, ISBN 0-471-58589-0