Example 1 Conformations of Cyclohexane

11 Example Point Group Assignments 3.11.1 Example 1 Conformations of Cyclohexane 

The fact that the same molecule can have conformations in different point groups is extremely common. Symmetry does not dictate which conformation should be preferred, since it only describes the structure. However, by working out the spectroscopic properties of each conformation with the restrictions imposed by symmetry taken into account we can identify whether a particular conformation is dominant based on experimental data. 

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