The complete molecular structure of biphenyl, characterized by 12 independent parameters, has been derived by ab initio gradient techniques using a S T O -~G basis set for coplanar, perpendicular, and minimum energy conformations with the constraint of planar phenyl ring units and a Cz symmetry axis along the CC interring bond. The minimum torsional angle obtained was 4 = 38.63" with torsional energy barriers of 8.59 and 10.04 kJ/mol for 4 = 0" and 4 = go", respectively.