Abstract
Diacetamide, like other diacylamines, is capable of existing in three basic conformations about the N-C bonds. Optimization (STO-3G) of model systems in which all first-row atoms and the amido hydrogen atom are held coplanar predicts that the E,Z conformer (3) is of lowest energy, the Z,Z conformer (2) of somewhat higher energy (4.2 kJ mol-1), and the E,E conformer (1) of highest energy (23.6 kJ mol-1); 4-31G evaluation of the energies suggests that (1) and (2) are each of higher energy than (3) by 27-28 kJ mol-1. It is suggested that (2) is destabilized with respect to (3) by electrostatic repulsion of the two negatively charged oxygen atoms whereas destabilization of (1) is due to substantial methyl-methyl steric interactions as reflected in the very wide

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