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 <CNC
(136°); the energy of (1) is, however, raised by out-of-plane or rotational
movements of the methyl groups, i.e., the preferred structure (excluding methyl
hydrogens) is planar. The calculated height of the barrier to internal rotation
of (3) by either of two model transition states is 41-45 kJ mol-1,
in good agreement with an experimental value of 45.2 kJ mol-1 in
solution at -60°.