Strain energy

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011454",
  "term": "Strain energy",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The excess potential energy stored within a molecule due to its deviation from an idealized, strain-free geometry. This energy arises from distortions in bond lengths, bond angles, and non-bonded interactions compared to their optimal values. It is typically calculated as the difference between the experimental enthalpy of formation and a calculated value for a hypothetical strain-free molecule.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "angle",
    "strain",
    "transition state"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1964 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/strain-energy/"
}