The most stable conformation for 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol)is shown below.It is the most stable conformation because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most stable conformation for 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol) is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl (-OH) groups. This stabilizes the molecule and reduces its overall energy. Therefore, choice C is the best choice. A is incorrect because anti conformation does not necessarily correspond to the most stable conformation. B is incorrect because gauche conformations can actually have higher energy than other conformations in certain cases. D is incorrect because although it is a staggered conformation, this alone does not make it the most stable. E is incorrect because it has the lowest energy of all the possibilities.

The Most Stable Conformation for 1,2-Ethanediol (Ethylene Glycol)is Shown Below