How To Draw A Newman Projection In Organic Chemistry: 14 Steps

Skip to Content

• EXPLORERandom Article

• Home
• Random

Terms of UseHow to Draw a Newman Projection in Organic Chemistry Explore this Article parts 1 Basic Molecular Drawing 2 3-Dimensional Structure of Organic Molecules 3 Drawing a Newman Projection Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles Author Info

Last Updated: August 7, 2017

X

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 25,468 times.

The following instruction set will help an individual learn how to draw a Newman projection in organic chemistry. While organic chemistry knowledge and experience is not necessary to complete the instruction set, it is helpful.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Basic Molecular Drawing

1. 1 Learn basic molecular drawing techniques.
   • If already familiar with drawing molecules, proceed to Part 2: "3-Dimensional Structure of Organic Molecules."
2. 2 Consider the name. Review IUPAC molecule naming at Name a Hydrocarbon Chain Using the IUPAC Method and identify the molecule being studied. Advertisement
3. 3 Count the number of carbon atoms. This will be denoted by using the prefix on the name of the chemical, see the list below.
   • 1 carbon: Meth
   • 2 carbons: Eth
   • 3 carbons: Prop
   • 4 carbons: But
   • 5 carbons: Pent
   • 6 carbons: Hex
   • 7 carbons: Hept
   • 8 carbons: Oct
   • 9 carbons: Non
   • 10 carbons: Dec
4. 4 Draw the main carbon chain.
   • Be sure to include hydrogens attached to the carbon atoms.
5. 5 Add any inorganic atoms to the chain. Refer back to the IUPAC name to see where the inorganic groups are located.
   • Examples of inorganic side groups include -OH, -COOH, NH2, Cl, Br, etc.
   Advertisement

Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

3-Dimensional Structure of Organic Molecules

1. 1 Learn basics of stereochemistry.
   • If already familiar with stereochemistry, proceed to Part 3: "Drawing a Newman Projection."
2. 2 Identify the stereocenter(s). A stereocenter is a carbon atom that has four different groups/atoms attached to it and contains 3-Dimensional characteristics (wedge and dash).
   • A wedged line means the atom is coming "out of the plane" or towards you. A dashed line means the atom is going "into the plane" or away from you.
3. 3 Add in wedges and dashes to stereocenters.
   • Each side group on the stereocenter can be on a wedge or a dash.
   Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Drawing a Newman Projection

1. 1 Determine which two carbon atoms are being studied. A Newman Projection focuses on one specific bond of the molecule, and note which atoms are attached to these carbon atoms. Add an eye with an arrow looking down the carbon-carbon bond being studied.
   • Example: 2-3 means looking down the carbon 2 and carbon 3 bond. Notice how the two hydrogens have 3-Dimensional structure. While not a stereocenter, drawing the hydrogens in this way makes drawing the Newman Projection much easier.
2. 2 Draw first carbon in the bond as a dot. Note: molecule being drawn in the Newman Projection is 2-butanol.
3. 3 Draw second carbon in the bond as a circle surrounding the dot.
4. 4 Draw atoms around the first carbon. Look at the 3-Dimensional Drawing from above and label which atoms are attached to this carbon and where each is located.
   • Atoms on a wedge point right
   • Atoms on a dash point left
   • Atoms in the plane of the molecule go up or down.
5. 5 Draw atoms around second carbon. Look at the 3-Dimensional Drawing from above and label which atoms are attached to this carbon and where each is located.
   • Note the 3-Dimensional location of all the atoms from the structure above and check to make sure the Newman Projection matches for each.
6. 6 Rotate atoms around second carbon to create new conformation. Each 60 degree turn of the atoms creates a new conformation, and there are six total conformations for each Newman Projection.
   • Staggered is most stable, eclipsed is least stable.
   • Completing the other three conformations is done in a similar way, with 60 degree rotations done for each.
   Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How can we find which Newman projection is more stable? Raff Community Answer The Newman structure of a molecule with the less steric strain is going to be the most stable. This will be essentially true in terms of the steric strain of the larger groups on the structure. Therefore, staggered structures are more stable than eclipsed structures; essentially, it gives the bigger groups more space from each other. Of the staggered structures, the anti conformer will be the most stable because the large groups are in a position where they are as far away from each other as possible. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Never try to draw the eclipsed conformation first. Drawing out the staggered form of the molecule first makes drawing the subsequent conformations easiest. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• If the molecule contains many carbons, make sure the number in the Newman Projection matches the number in the original molecule. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toDress Modestly for a Mormon Church (for Females) How toBecome Taller Naturally How toImprove Your Alexa Ranking How toOrganize a Small Closet How toSlim Your Face How toKill Fruit Flies How toFix Your Whole Life How toInsert a Rectal Suppository How toAsk the Right Questions How toFold Sheets How toTip How toIron How toWrite a Subcontractor Contract How toBuild Good Credit Advertisement

About this article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 25,468 times. 44 votes - 80% Co-authors: 3 Updated: August 7, 2017 Views: 25,468

• Print

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,468 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

About this article

Co-authors: 3 Updated: August 7, 2017 Views: 25,468 80% of readers found this article helpful. 44 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote 80% of people told us that this article helped them.

You Might Also Like

How toDress Modestly for a Mormon Church (for Females)How toBecome Taller NaturallyHow toImprove Your Alexa RankingHow toOrganize a Small Closet wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Contact Us
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Follow Us

--579