Chapter 7, Problem 10CTQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The axial methyl group should be circled for each given cyclohexane.

Concept introduction: In cyclohexane, all the six carbons are sp3 hybridized so, the expected angle for the connected atoms will be ${109.5}^{\text{o}}$ . The most stable conformation of cyclohexane will be the one in which the ring or angle strain is negligible and thus, make the conformation stable. In chair conformation, all the atoms are positioned in the ring in such a way that they adopt this positioning and do not experience any angle or ring strain.