In biphenyl derivatives containing four rather large ortho substituents, the phenyl rings are twisted relative to each other. The two conformations with coplanar phenyl rings are energetically unaccessible under normal laboratory conditions, in these there is not enough space to accommodate the four substituents (atropisomers, an example was introduced above, BINOL).

Sketch a reasonable conformation for this molecule.

What is its point group?  C1  C2  C2v  C4  C4h  Cs  Ci  D2  D2d  D2h  D2v  S4  other

Is a molecule in this conformation (assumed to be rigid) chiral or achiral?  chiral  achiral

Is a sample of this compound separable into enantiomers? Why?  Yes, it is separable into enantiomers.  No, it is not separable into enantiomers.