disrotatory

An electrocyclic reaction can either be classified as conrotatory or disrotatory based on the rotation at each end of the molecule. In conrotatory mode, both atomic orbitals of the end groups turn in the same direction (such as both atomic orbitals rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise). In disrotatory mode, the atomic orbitals of the end groups turn in opposite directions (one atomic orbital turns clockwise and the other counter-clockwise). The cis/trans geometry of the final product is directly decided by the difference between conrotation and disrotation.