Question

What are Sawhorse projections in organic chemistry?

Answer 1

Sawhorse projection

• In this projection, the molecule is viewed along the molecular axis.
• It is then projected on paper by drawing the central $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}$ bond as a somewhat longer straight line.
• The upper end of the line is slightly tilted towards the right or left-hand side.
• The front carbon is shown at the lower end of the line, whereas the rear carbon is shown at the upper end.
• Three lines are attached to each carbon, each corresponding to three hydrogen atoms.
• The lines are at a ${120}^{°}$ angle to one another.

Sawhorse projections of eclipsed and staggered conformations of ethane :