Visualizing Steric Interactions -- II

Task: Compare renderings of 1,2-dichloroethane as Ball & Stick and Space Filling models - in the same window

Time: 4 minutes

1. Open the file generated in the last lesson: File|Open "12Cl2ethane-PM5"
2. Reposition the molecule in the window and make a copy:
   1. Choose the Move tool, , and click on the molecule.
   2. Drag it to the left of the of the Workspace window.
   3. Choose the Select Molecule tool, , and click on any atom of the 1,2-dichloroethane molecule.
   4. Select Edit|Copy from the menu bar.
3. Paste a copy of  the 1,2-dichloroethane in the Workspace window:
   1. Select Edit|Paste from the menu bar. A copy of 1,2-dichloroethane will appear in the center of the window.
   2. Select Edit|Move Selected from the Menu bar.
   3. Choose the Move tool, , click on the highlighted structure and drag it to the right to separate the two.
4. Convert the structure on the right to Space Filling rendering:
   1. Choose the Select Molecule tool, .
   2. Select View|Space Filling from the Menu bar.
   3. If the two structures are too close, repeat steps 3b and 3c.
   4. Using the Select tool, , click anywhere in the workspace to select both structures.
   5. To get both structures to fit in the Workspace window, select View|Fit in Window from the Menu bar.
5. Using the Rotate button, , move the structures around to view all sides.  Which rendering gives a better picture of the "space" that the molecule takes up?

Do not close the CAChe Workspace window! In the next lesson you will generate the van der Waals surface  of 1,2-dichloroethane, a better approximation of steric interactions.