i. Is a methyl group at C-6 that is "down" axial or equatorial? ii. Is a methyl group that is "up" at C-1 more or less stable than a methyl group that is "up" at C-4? i. If you were to place a methyl group at C-3 in its most stable conformation, would the methyl group be "up" or "down"? 1 2

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### Cyclohexane Conformation and Stability Questions

**Questions:**

i. Is a methyl group at C-6 that is “down” axial or equatorial?

ii. Is a methyl group that is “up” at C-1 more or less stable than a methyl group that is “up” at C-4?

iii. If you were to place a methyl group at C-3 in its most stable conformation, would the methyl group be “up” or “down”?


**Diagram Explanation:**

The provided diagram is a simple representation of the carbon skeleton of cyclohexane in its chair form. The carbon atoms in the ring are labeled from 1 to 6.

Each carbon in the chair conformation has two positions available for substituents: axial and equatorial. Axial substituents are perpendicular to the ring (alternating up and down), while equatorial substituents are roughly in the plane of the ring and alternate between slightly above and below the ring.

In terms of stability: 

- Axial substituents are generally less stable due to 1,3-diaxial interactions.
- Equatorial substituents are generally more stable because they face less steric hindrance.

**Detailed Analysis of Questions:**

1. **Methyl Group at C-6:**
   - If a methyl group at C-6 is “down”, the position of this group (axial or equatorial) depends on the conformation of the molecule. For a standard chair conformation with carbon atoms 1 and 4 delivering the same directional substituents (one is up, the other is up, and vice versa), if C-6 is “down”, typically, it would be in the axial position. 
  
2. **Stability Comparison:**
   - Comparing the stability of a methyl group at different carbons ("up" at C-1 vs. "up" at C-4) depends on the positions they end up in (axial or equatorial). Generally, a methyl group is more stable in the equatorial position. In the chair conformation, if a substituent is "up" at C-1, it would be axial, and similarly, an “up” substituent at C-4 would also be axial. Thus, neither has a stability advantage over the other in the same chair conformation.

3. **Methyl Group at C-3:**
   - For
Transcribed Image Text:### Cyclohexane Conformation and Stability Questions **Questions:** i. Is a methyl group at C-6 that is “down” axial or equatorial? ii. Is a methyl group that is “up” at C-1 more or less stable than a methyl group that is “up” at C-4? iii. If you were to place a methyl group at C-3 in its most stable conformation, would the methyl group be “up” or “down”? **Diagram Explanation:** The provided diagram is a simple representation of the carbon skeleton of cyclohexane in its chair form. The carbon atoms in the ring are labeled from 1 to 6. Each carbon in the chair conformation has two positions available for substituents: axial and equatorial. Axial substituents are perpendicular to the ring (alternating up and down), while equatorial substituents are roughly in the plane of the ring and alternate between slightly above and below the ring. In terms of stability: - Axial substituents are generally less stable due to 1,3-diaxial interactions. - Equatorial substituents are generally more stable because they face less steric hindrance. **Detailed Analysis of Questions:** 1. **Methyl Group at C-6:** - If a methyl group at C-6 is “down”, the position of this group (axial or equatorial) depends on the conformation of the molecule. For a standard chair conformation with carbon atoms 1 and 4 delivering the same directional substituents (one is up, the other is up, and vice versa), if C-6 is “down”, typically, it would be in the axial position. 2. **Stability Comparison:** - Comparing the stability of a methyl group at different carbons ("up" at C-1 vs. "up" at C-4) depends on the positions they end up in (axial or equatorial). Generally, a methyl group is more stable in the equatorial position. In the chair conformation, if a substituent is "up" at C-1, it would be axial, and similarly, an “up” substituent at C-4 would also be axial. Thus, neither has a stability advantage over the other in the same chair conformation. 3. **Methyl Group at C-3:** - For
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