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why is equatorial methylcyclohexane more stable

by Larissa Walsh Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Because diastereomers have different energies, one form is more stable than the other. Equatorial methylcyclohexane is more stable than axial methylcyclohexane. In fact, it is usually the case that the equatorial conformation of a substituted cyclohexane is more stable than the axial conformation.

Full Answer

What is the most stable conformation of methylcyclohexane?

Methylcyclohexane The most stable conformation of methylcyclohexane is the chair conformation in which the methyl group is equatorial. The alternative chair conformation, in which the methyl group is axial, is 7.3 kJ/mol higher in energy. This difference corresponds to a equatorial:axial conformer ratio of 19:1 at 25 °C.

Is cis-1-t-butyl-4-methylcyclohexane equatorial or axial?

If you have a cis-1-t-butyl-4-methylcyclohexane in the chair conformation, the larger group (tert-butyl) will be equatorial because of steric reasons: the larger group would clash more with the hydrogens on the cyclohexane ring. When the smaller group (methyl) is axial, the space above the cyclohexane ring is less crowded...

Why is the cyclohexane ring conformation axial?

When the smaller group (methyl) is axial, the space above the cyclohexane ring is less crowded and so this conformation is energetically more favourable.

Why is Equatorial more stable?

In the previous section, it was stated that the chair conformation in which the methyl group is equatorial is more stable because it minimizes steric repulsion, and thus the equilibrium favors the more stable conformer.

Which conformation of methylcyclohexane is more stable?

chair conformationThe most stable conformation of methylcyclohexane is the chair conformation in which the methyl group is equatorial. The alternative chair conformation, in which the methyl group is axial, is 7.3 kJ/mol higher in energy. This difference corresponds to a equatorial:axial conformer ratio of 19:1 at 25 °C.

Is Equatorial down or up more stable?

Consequently, substituted cyclohexanes will preferentially adopt conformations in which the larger substituents are in the equatorial orientation. When the methyl group is in the equatorial position this strain is not present which makes the equatorial conformer more stable and favored in the ring flip equilibrium.

Which is more stable of the axial and equatorial bonds?

chairWhat do axial and equatorial refer to? Axial and equatorial are types of bonds found in the 'chair' conformation of cyclohexane. The chair conformation of cyclohexane has to lowest totally energy and is, therefore, the most stable.

Is equatorial or axial more stable methylcyclohexane?

Equatorial methylcyclohexane is more stable than axial methylcyclohexane. In fact, it is usually the case that the equatorial conformation of a substituted cyclohexane is more stable than the axial conformation.

Which orientation of the methyl group axial or equatorial is higher in energy?

Note that in the conformation where methyl is axial, there is a gauche interaction between the axial methyl group and C-3. This is absent in the conformation where methyl is equatorial. This gauche interaction is an example of van der Waals strain, which is what makes the axial conformer higher in energy.

Is axial or equatorial more reactive?

In compund 2, both substituents can be placed in equatorial positions, whereas in 1 the Cl group is forced into an axial position since the bulky t-butyl group has to be placed equatorial. This makes compound 1 more unstable (higher energy), leading to a faster rate of formation of the carbocation.

Which position axial or equatorial is more favorable?

2:194:02Axial or Equatorial: Which position is better? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition. But anytime that you flip a chair. You wind up flipping positions. Okay. So if you flipMorePosition. But anytime that you flip a chair. You wind up flipping positions. Okay. So if you flip your chair. You also wind up flipping positions. So now this would become equatorial. Over here.

What is difference between equatorial and axial bonds?

The carbon bond to the non-ring atoms can be either axial or equatorial. Axial bonds are the bonds that form an 90∘ angle with the ring plane whereas equatorial bonds are the bonds that only make a small angle with the plane.

What is the difference between equatorial and axial with respect to energy?

The key difference between axial and equatorial position is that axial bonds are vertical while equatorial bonds are horizontal. The terms axial and equatorial are important in showing the actual 3D positioning of the chemical bonds in a chair conformation cyclohexane molecule.

Why axial bonds are longer than equatorial bonds in PCl5?

In PCl5, there are three equatorial bonds and two axial bonds. The axial bonds are longer than equatorial bonds because of greater repulsion from equatorial bonds. So axial bonds are nearer to equatorial bonds and this causes greater repulsion resulting in elongation of bond length.

Which chair conformation is more stable?

The most stable conformation of cyclohexane is the chair form shown to the right. The C-C-C bonds are very close to 109.5o, so it is almost free of angle strain. It is also a fully staggered conformation and so is free of torsional strain.

Which conformation of methylcyclohexane is interconvertible?

Methylcyclohexane has two chair conformations that are interconvertible through the ring flipping. In conformation I the methyl group occupies an axial position, and in conformation II the methyl group occupies an equatorial position.

Which is more stable, cyclohexane or cyclohexane?

For mono-substituted cyclohexane, the equatorial-conformer is more stable than the axial-conformer because of the 1,3-diaxal interaction. Since 1,3-diaxal interaction is essentially the steric strain, so the larger the size of the substituent, the greater the interaction is.

How many hydrogens are in a cyclohexane ring?

For the cyclohexane ring itself, the two conformers from the ring flipping are equivalent in terms of energy since there are always six hydrogens in axial position and six hydrogens in equatorial position.

What is the name of the two groups of cycloalkanes that are on the same side of the

Disubstituted cyclohexane. When there are two substituents on different carbons of a cycloalkane, there are two possible relative position between the two groups, they can be either on the same side, or opposite side, of the ring, that are called geometric isomers, a type of stereoisomers (more discussions in Chapter 5 ).

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