STERIC EFFECT

Steric effects arise from the fact that each atom within a
molecule occupies a certain amount of space.
If atoms are brought too close together, there is an associated
cost in energy due to overlapping electron clouds (Pauli or Born
repulsion), and this may affect the molecule's preferred shape
(conformation) and reactivity.

Types of steric effects

Steric hindrance or steric resistance occurs when the size of
groups within a molecule prevents chemical reactions that are
observed in related smaller molecules. Although steric
hindrance is sometimes a problem, it can also be a very useful
tool, and is often exploited by chemists to change the reactivity
pattern of a molecule by stopping unwanted side-reactions
(steric protection).
 Steric shielding occurs when a charged
group on a molecule is seemingly
weakened or spatially shielded by less
charged (or oppositely charged) atoms,
including counterions in solution (Debye
shielding). In some cases, for an atom to
interact with sterically shielded atoms, it
would have to approach from a vicinity
where there is less shielding, thus
controlling where and from what direction
a molecular interaction can take place.
• Steric attraction occurs when molecules have
shapes or geometries that are optimized for
interaction with one another. In these cases
molecules will react with each other most often
in specific arrangements.
• Steric repulsions between different parts of
molecular system were found of key importance
to govern the direction of transition metal
mediated transformations and catalysis. Steric
effect can even induce a mechanism switch in
the catalytic reaction
 Steric effects vs. electronic effects
The structure, properties, and reactivity of a molecule is
dependent on straight forward bonding interactions
including covalent bonds, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds
and lesser forms of bonding. This bonding supplies a
basic molecular skeleton that is modified by repulsive
forces. These repulsive forces include the steric
interactions. Basic bonding and steric are at times
insufficient to explain many structures, properties, and
reactivity. Thus steric effects are often contrasted and
complemented by electronic effects implying the
influence of effects such as induction, conjunction, orbital
symmetry, electrostatic interactions, and spin state.
There are more esoteric electronic effects but these are
among the most important when considering structure
and chemical reactivity.
 Significance
Understanding steric effects is critical to
chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology.
In chemistry, steric effects are nearly universal
and affect the rates and energies of most
chemical reactions to varying degrees.
In biochemistry, steric effects are often exploited
in naturally occurring molecules such as
enzymes, where the catalytic site may be buried
within a large protein structure.
In pharmacology, steric effects determine how
and at what rate a drug will interact with its
target bio-molecules.