Angle strain, also called Baeyer strain in cyclic molecules, is the resistance associated with bond angle compression or bond angle expansion. It occurs when bond angles deviate from the ideal bond angles to achieve maximum bond strength in a specific chemical conformation. Angle strain typically affects cyclic molecules because non-cyclic molecules will thermodynamically conform to the most favorable stable state.
Angle strain is subdivided into two categories: small angle strain and large angle strain.
In cycloalkanes, optimum overlap of atomic orbitals is achieved at 109.5°. But angle strain occurs when the carbon-carbon bonds can't be at 109.5° in cycloalkanes. Having higher angle strain makes a molecule more unstable and reactive. Maximum bond strength results from effective overlap of atomic orbitals in a chemical bond.
Read more about Angle Strain: History, Measurement of Angle Strain, Examples
Famous quotes containing the words angle and/or strain:
“Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“You are all alike, you respectable people. You can’t tell me the bursting strain of a ten-inch gun, which is a very simple matter; but you all think you can tell me the bursting strain of a man under temptation. You daren’t handle high explosives; but you’re all ready to handle honesty and truth and justice and the whole duty of man, and kill one another at that game. What a country! What a world!”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)