Stable molecular configuration in crystalline carboxylic acids

The stable (lower enthalpy) molecular configurations of propionic, butyric, Jeric and lauric acids in the crystalline state have been examined via their atom-atom potentials. It was found that the cis configuration is more stable than the trans configuration for propionic, butyric and valeric acids, and that the trans configuration is more stable than the cis configuration for lauric acid, in accord with a previous IR spectral analysis. The potential energy of benzoic acid was recalculated using the positions of atoms given by Speakman, and indicates that the A form is more stable than the B form, in agreement with the results of previous work.