Key aspects:
- Rotavism involves the rotation of a molecular fragment around a specific bond axis.
- The rotation can occur at single or multiple bonds, defining single-axis and multi-axis rotamerism, respectively.
- The term "rotamerism" refers to the different orientations or conformations that the rotating molecular fragments can adopt.
- Each distinct orientation is called a rotamer.
- The energy barrier associated with rotation determines the frequency and extent of rotamer interconversion, which can be influenced by factors like steric effects and electronic interactions.
- Rotamerism is crucial in understanding molecular conformations, dynamics, and properties.
- It plays a role in areas such as drug design, catalysis, and molecular recognition processes.