Final answer:
To draw the most stable Newman projection for the C1−C2 bond in 2-methylpropane, place the methyl group on C1 and the hydrogen atoms on C2. For the least stable Newman projection, place the hydrogen atom on C1 and the methyl group and the other hydrogen atom on C2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to draw the most stable and least stable Newman projections for the C1−C2 bond in 2-methylpropane.
In 2-methylpropane, there are two carbon atoms bonded by a C1−C2 bond.
In a Newman projection, you view the molecule along the C1−C2 bond. The front carbon (C1) is represented as a dot, and the back carbon (C2) is represented as a wheel.
To draw the most stable and least stable Newman projections, we need to consider the torsional strain caused by the interaction of the electron clouds of the atoms attached to the carbon atoms.
In the most stable Newman projection, the substituents on the front carbon (C1) and the back carbon (C2) are the furthest apart, which reduces steric hindrance. In this case, the substituent on C1 is the methyl group, and the substituents on C2 are the hydrogen atoms.
In the least stable Newman projection, the substituents on the front carbon (C1) and the back carbon (C2) are closer together, leading to higher steric hindrance. In this case, the substituent on C1 is the hydrogen atom, and the substituents on C2 are the methyl group and the other hydrogen atom.
So, the most stable Newman projection for the C1−C2 bond in 2-methylpropane would be where the methyl group is on C1 and the hydrogen atoms are on C2, and the least stable Newman projection would be where the hydrogen atom is on C1 and the methyl group and the other hydrogen atom are on C2.