i. a. Alkanes have single covalent bonds (sigma bonds) formed by the coaxial overlap of orbitals.
b. As a direct consequence of coaxial overlap of orbitals, a sigma bond is cylindrically symmetrical and the extent of orbital overlap is unaffected by rotation about the single bond and therefore, C – C bonds undergo rotation.
ii. a. In alkanes, the atoms bonded to one carbon of a C – C single bond change their relative position with reference to the atoms on the other carbon of that bond on rotation of that C – C single bond.
b. The resulting arrangements of the atoms in space about the C – C single bond are called conformations or conformational isomers. Innumerable conformations result on complete rotation of a C – C single bond through 360°.