Editing Structural formula (section)

=== Newman projection and sawhorse projection ===

The [[Newman projection]] and the [[sawhorse]] projection are used to depict specific [[conformers]] or to distinguish [[Vicinal (chemistry)|vicinal]] stereochemistry. In both cases, two specific carbon atoms and their connecting bond are the center of attention. The only difference is a slightly different perspective: the Newman projection looking straight down the bond of interest, the sawhorse projection looking at the same bond but from a somewhat [[Oblique projection|oblique]] vantage point. In the Newman projection, a circle is used to represent a plane perpendicular to the bond, distinguishing the substituents on the front carbon from the substituents on the back carbon. In the sawhorse projection, the front carbon is usually on the left and is always slightly lower. Sometimes, an arrow is used to indicate the front carbon. The sawhorse projection is very similar to a skeletal formula, and it can even use wedges instead of lines to indicate the stereochemistry of the molecule. The sawhorse projection is set apart from the skeletal formulas because the sawhorse projection is not a very good indicator of molecule geometry and molecular arrangement. Both a Newman and Sawhorse Projection can be used to create a Fischer Projection.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

<gallery>
Image:Newman projection butane -sc.svg|Newman projection of [[butane]]
Image:Sawhorse projection butane -sc.svg|Sawhorse projection of butane
</gallery>