1,2-dideuterioethane

chemical compound

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July 19, 2026

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1,2-dideuterioethane is a molecule where hydrogen atoms in ethane have been replaced by deuterium. Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron, making it twice as massive as ordinary hydrogen.1

In ethane (CH₃CH₃), rotations around the central carbon-carbon bond can lead to different spatial arrangements of atoms, known as conformational isomers. When hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium to form 1,2-dideuterioethane, specific staggered forms, called "anti" and "gauche," become possible. These forms are interconverted by rotation around the carbon-carbon bond. However, the energy barrier between these conformations is low, making them difficult to separate under normal conditions.2

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isomerism
Conformational isomers
…for deuterium atoms to make 1,2-dideuterioethane—isomeric staggered forms become possible. These staggered forms, called “anti” and “gauche,” of 1,2-dideuterioethane are different but are interconverted through rotations around the central carbon-carbon bond and are called “conformational isomers.”
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…for deuterium atoms to make 1,2-dideuterioethane—isomeric staggered forms become possible. These staggered forms, called “anti” and “gauche,” of 1,2-dideuterioethane are different but are interconverted through rotations around the central carbon-carbon bond and are called “conformational isomers.”
Read More