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MENTAL MODEL · M4492

Steric Hindrance

Steric Hindrance
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

Steric hindrance (also called steric effect, spatial hindrance, or steric effect) is a branch of stereochemistry that studies the electromagnetic forces formed by the overlap of electron clouds between different groups in a molecule, which affect molecular structure or reaction orientation. It is widely used in the qualitative discussion of molecular structure and reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, but in some cases it may lead to deviations or errors.

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Steric hindrance (also called steric effect, spatial hindrance, or steric effect) is a branch of stereochemistry that studies the electromagnetic forces formed by the overlap of electron clouds between different groups in a molecule, which affect molecular structure or reaction orientation. It is widely used in the qualitative discussion of molecular structure and reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, but in some cases it may lead to deviations or errors.

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Some groups in a molecule are too bulky or crowded, hindering the reaction (the attacking reagent cannot reach the reaction center). Metaphor: interaction does not happen, sometimes not due to lack of willingness, but due to physical layout/spatial constraints (steric hindrance).

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%8D%E9%98%BB%E6%95%88%E5%BA%94ZH · Explicit
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