4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

For each pair, indicate which conformer is more stable.

Draw the two chair conformers for each of the following and indicate which conformer is more stable:

b. trans-1-ethyl-2-methylcyclohexane

Table 3-6 shows that the axial–equatorial energy difference for methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl groups increases gradually: 7.6, 7.9, and 8.8 kJ/mol (1.8, 1.9, and 2.1 kcal/mol). The tert-butyl group jumps to an energy difference of 23 kJ/mol (5.4 kcal/mol), over twice the value for the isopropyl group. Draw pictures of the axial conformations of isopropylcyclohexane and tert-butylcyclohexane, and explain why the tert-butyl substituent experiences such a large increase in axial energy over the isopropyl group.

Bromine is a larger atom than chlorine, but the equilibrium constants in Table 3.9 indicate that a chloro substituent has a greater preference for the equatorial position than does a bromo substituent. Suggest an explanation for this fact.

Which has a higher percentage of the diequatorial-substituted conformer compared with the diaxialsubstituted conformer: trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane or cis-1-tert-butyl-3-methylcyclohexane?

Draw the two chair conformations of each of the following substituted cyclohexanes. In each case, label the more stable conformation.]

c. cis-1-ethyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane

d. trans-1-ethyl-4-methylcyclohexane

For each structure shown, draw the two chair conformations and choose which is most stable. Be sure that your second chair is the flipped version of the first. [Make sure that wedged substituents are up in the chair, regardless of whether up is equatorial or axial.]

(e)

Draw the two chair conformations of each of the following substituted cyclohexanes. In each case, label the more stable conformation.

a. cis-1-ethyl-2-methylcyclohexane

b. trans-1,2-diethylcyclohexane

Predict which side of the equilibrium is favored for each of the chair–chair interconversions (ring flips) shown.

(c)

Which of the following conformers has the highest energy (is the least stable)?

For each pair of conformations you drew in Assessment 3.41, indicate which is most stable.

Draw the two chair conformations of each compound, and label the substituents as axial and equatorial. In each case, determine which conformation is more stable.

a. cis-1-ethyl-2-isopropylcyclohexane

b. trans-1-ethyl-2-isopropylcyclohexane

For each of the following structures, draw the most stable chair conformer.

a.

b.