Pentane conformers

C5H12  ·  showing: ⌂ Home

Choose a conformer

Newman projections (computed from the model)

down C2→C3  ·  C1–C2–C3–C4 =
down C3→C4  ·  C2–C3–C4–C5 =
Front carbon at the center, back carbon is the circle. Click a projection to turn the 3D model to that view.

Skeletal structure

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
The 2D drawing is the same for every conformer. Hover a carbon to find it in 3D.
Lewis (full structural) formula

Distance between any two atoms

to
Or click any two atoms in the 3D model. Hydrogens are named by the carbon they sit on (H2a, H2b are both on C2).
Key distances in this conformer

Exercise: count the gauche interactions

Ideal geometry used in the model

C–C bond length1.54 Å
C–H bond length1.09 Å
Every bond angle (tetrahedral)109.47°
Dihedrals180° or ±60°
Every conformer keeps every carbon on the diamond lattice. Only the two C–C–C–C dihedrals change. Real molecules relax a little from these values, especially in the crowded gauche(+)–gauche(−) form.

How to use the 3D model

  • Drag to rotate, scroll or pinch to zoom.
  • Click 2 atoms for a distance, 3 for an angle, 4 for a dihedral.
  • Use the Newman buttons to sight down a C–C bond.

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