Question

The most stable conformation of 3-fluorobutan-2-ol is:

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Here, (a) is staggered (anti) conformer and (b) is staggered gauche conformer of 3-Fluorobutan-2-ol
Generally, staggered conformers are most stable than the eclipsed and gauche conformer due to less torsional strain but here gauche conformer of 3-Fluorobutan-2-ol is stable than the staggered conformer due to the formation of hydrogen bonding.


Conformer (c) is fully eclipsed conformer which is least stable due to steric repulsion.
Conformer (d) is partially eclipsed conformer which is less stable than staggered conformers due to steric repulsion and torsional strain.