Conformations of organic molecules

[kohaaa]

So I'm currently learning about different conformations of cycloalkanes, such as cis & trans of substituents.

I know that certain conformation have different energy levels so that stable conformations are more apparent in samples than unstable ones.

My question is if there is a practical use for knowing the different conformations and applying that to real world uses.

For example, by knowing the different stabilities of stereoisomers, is it possible to purify a certain conformation and using it for a specific function (based on its reactivity or something)?

[Trippy]

So I'm currently learning about different conformations of cycloalkanes, such as cis & trans of substituents.

I know that certain conformation have different energy levels so that stable conformations are more apparent in samples than unstable ones.

My question is if there is a practical use for knowing the different conformations and applying that to real world uses.

For example, by knowing the different stabilities of stereoisomers, is it possible to purify a certain conformation and using it for a specific function (based on its reactivity or something)?

The short answer is yes, you can do all sorts of fun things in reaction chains with it, because you can use it to control the outcomes of reactions that might ordinarily go 50:50 with alignment (for example, additions across a double bond). It's just a matter of adding the right functional groups in the right order.

[NietzscheHimself]

I didn't know organic molecules were Catholic...

[Trippy]

I didn't know organic molecules were Catholic...

They aren't.

This is what is being discussed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformational_isomerism

[NietzscheHimself]

Ohhh... conFORmation not conFIRmation

[veggiepatch]

There is also scissoring (or was that circumcision) of certain organic molecules.

Where credit is Jew I suppose.