Hyperconjugation

This review outlines the ubiquitous nature of hyperconjugative interactions and their role in the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. After defining the common hyperconjugative patterns, we discuss the main factors controlling the magnitude of hyperconjugative effects, including orbital symmetry, energy gap, electronegativity, and polarizibility. The danger of underestimating the magnitude of hyperconjugative interactions are illustrated by a number of spectroscopic, conformational, and structural effects. Through the use of advanced computational techniques, the true role of hyperconjugative effects, as it pertains to their influence on stereoelectronics, conformational equilibria, and reactivities relative to other electronic effects, continue to be uncovered. (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2011 1 109-141 DOI: 10.1002/wcms.6