Baeyer strain theory
Encyclopedia
Baeyer strain theory or strain theory explains specific behaviour of chemical compound
s in terms of bond angle strain
.
It was proposed by Adolf von Baeyer
in 1885 to account for the unusual chemical reactivity
in ring-opening reactions of cyclopropane
s and cyclobutane
s where this angle strain is relieved.
On ring strain
he noted in 1885:
William Henry Perkin, Jr.
was the first chemist to synthesize a cyclopropane ring as a doctoral student in the group of Baeyer. A few years earlier another student of Baeyer, Viktor Meyer
, had doubted whether a three-membered ring could exist at all. For a long time Baeyer held the belief that even 6- and 7-membered rings were planar and subjected to ring strain.
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
s in terms of bond angle strain
Angle strain
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...
.
It was proposed by Adolf von Baeyer
Adolf von Baeyer
Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Baeyer was a German chemist who synthesized indigo, and was the 1905 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Born in Berlin, he initially studied mathematics and physics at Berlin University before moving to Heidelberg to study chemistry with Robert Bunsen...
in 1885 to account for the unusual chemical reactivity
Reaction rate
The reaction rate or speed of reaction for a reactant or product in a particular reaction is intuitively defined as how fast or slow a reaction takes place...
in ring-opening reactions of cyclopropane
Cyclopropane
Cyclopropane is a cycloalkane molecule with the molecular formula C3H6, consisting of three carbon atoms linked to each other to form a ring, with each carbon atom bearing two hydrogen atoms...
s and cyclobutane
Cyclobutane
Cyclobutane is an organic compound with the formula 4. Cyclobutane is a colourless gas and commercially available as a liquefied gas. Derivatives of cyclobutane are called cyclobutanes...
s where this angle strain is relieved.
On ring strain
Ring strain
In organic chemistry, ring strain is the tendency of a cyclic molecule, such as cyclopropane, to destabilize when its atoms are in non-favorable high energy spatial orientations...
he noted in 1885:
William Henry Perkin, Jr.
William Henry Perkin, Jr.
William Henry Perkin, Jr. was an English organic chemist who was primarily known for his groundbreaking research work on the degradation of naturally occurring organic compounds.-Early life:...
was the first chemist to synthesize a cyclopropane ring as a doctoral student in the group of Baeyer. A few years earlier another student of Baeyer, Viktor Meyer
Viktor Meyer
Viktor Meyer was a German chemist and significant contributor to both organic and inorganic chemistry. He is best known for inventing an apparatus for determining vapour densities, the Viktor Meyer apparatus, and for discovering thiophene, a heterocyclic compound...
, had doubted whether a three-membered ring could exist at all. For a long time Baeyer held the belief that even 6- and 7-membered rings were planar and subjected to ring strain.