Chapter 4

4.1 Make a graph of potential energy versus angle of bond rotation for propane, and assign values to
the energy maxima.
Solution:

14KJ/mol

H H3C H
H3C H H H H H H H
H 3C H H H H CH 3
H H CH3 H
H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
H H H 3C CH3 H H H

4.2 Draw Newman projections of the most stable and least stable conformations of bromoethane.
Solution:
Br H Br
H H
H
H H H H
H H
Most stable least stable

4.3 Consider 2-methylpropane (isobutane). Sighting along the C2-C1 bond.

(a) Draw a Newman projection of the most stable conformation.
CH3

(b) Draw a Newman projection of the least stable conformation

CH3

(c) Make a graph of the energy versus angles of rotations around the C2-C1 bond:
(d) Since a hydrogen –hydrogen eclipsing interaction costs 4.0 kJ/mol and a hydrogen-methyl ecliping
interaction cost 6.0 kJ/mol ,assign reactive values to the maxima and minima in your grapg.
4.4 Sight along the C2-C3 bond of 2,3-dimethylbutane ,and draw a Newman projection of the most
stable conformation.
Solutions:
CH3
CH3

H3C
CH3
4.5 Draw a Newman projection along the C2-C3 bond of the following conformation of
2,3-dimethylbutane, and calculate a total strain energy:

Solution:
CH3
H3C H

H3C H
CH3 Total cost: 3×3.8＝11.4kJ/mol
4.6 Figure 4.8 shows that cyclopropane is more strained than cyclohexane by 115kJ/mol. Which has the
higher heat of combustion on a per-gram basis, cyclopropane or cyclohexane?
Solution:
Because the more strained energy the compound contains, the more energy is released on
combustion, cyclopropane has the higher heat of a combustion on a per-gram basis.

4.7 Each hydrogen-hydrogen eclipsing interaction in ethane costs about 4.0 kj/mol. How many such
interactions are present in cyclopropane? What fraction of the overall 115 kj/mol (27.5 kcal/mol)
strain energy of cyclopropane is due to torsional strain?
Solution:
Six.
4.0*6/115=20.9%.

4.8 cis-1,2-Dimethylcyclopropane has a larger heat of combustion than trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane.

How can you account for this difference? Which of the two compounds is more stable?
Solution:
Because the methyl group eclipses each other in the cis isomer.
The trans isomer is more stable.
4.9 How many hydrogen-hydrogen eclipsing interactions would be present if cyclopentane were planar?
Assuming an energy cost of 4.0 KJ/mol for each eclipsing interactions, how much torsional strain
would planar cycclopentane have? How much of this strain is relieved by puckering if the measured
total strain of cyclopentane is 26.0 KJ/mol?
Solution:
(1) 10
(2) W=4×10=40 KJ/mol
(3) c%=(40-26)/40×100%=35%
4.10 Two conformations of cis-1,3-dimethylcyclobutane are shown. What is the difference between
them, and which do you think is likely to be more stable?
(a)
H
H3C H
CH3
H
H H
H
(b)
H
H H
H

H3C H
CH3
Solution:
They are conformation isomers.
(a) is more stable., Because the methyl groups are farther apart.

4.11 Draw two different chair conformations of cyclohexanol, showing all hydrogen atoms. Identify
each position as axial or equatorial.

Solution:
OH H H
H
H H
H
H OH
H H H H
H H
H H
H H
H H H
H

4.12 Draw two different chair conformations of trans-1, 4-dimethylcyclohexane, and label all positions
 as axial or equatorial.

Solution:

H H CH3
H
H H
H
CH3 H
H H H H
H3C H
H H
H H
H CH3 H
H
4.13 Identify each of the colored positions—red, blue, and green—as axial or equatorial. Then carry
out a ring—flip, and show the new positions occupied by each color.

Ring-flip

4.14 How can you account for the fact (Table 4.2) that an axial tert-butyl substituent has much larger
1,3-diaxial interactions than isopropyl, but isopropyl is fairly similar to ethyl and methyl? Use
molecular models to help with your answer.
Solution:
H
H H
H C H H CH3
H H H
C CH3 C CH3
H
H H

With a methyl, ethyl and propyl group, a hydrogen points in toward the ring.
But with a butyl group, a methyl group points in.
CH3
H H3C
C CH3
H

4.15 Why do you suppose an axial cyano substituent causes practically no 1,3-diaxial steric strain
(0.4kJ/mol)? Use molecular model to help with your answer.
Solution:
N

C H

Because of the nitrogen-carbon triple bond the electron density between N and C atoms is high, the
distance between cyano substituent and hydrogen gets larger. The interaction between them becomes
weaker.
4.16 Look at Figure 4.18 and estimate the percentages of axial and equatorial conformers present at
equilibrium in bromocyclohexane.
Solution: the percentage of axial conformer is about 27%, while the percentage of equatorial conformer
is about 73% at equilibrium.

4.17 Draw the most stable chair conformation of the following molecules, and estimate the amount of
strain in each:
(a) trans-1-Chloro-3-methylcyclohexane
Cl

CH3
strain=2*1.0=2.0kJ/mol

(b) cis-1-Ethyl-2-methylcyclohexane

CH2CH3

CH3 Strain=2*3.8+3.8=11.4 kJ/mol

(c) cis-1-Bromo-4-ethylcyclohexane

CH2CH3

Br Strain=2*1.0=2.0 kJ/mol
(d) cis-1-tert-Butylcyclohexane

t-Bu

CH2CH3 Strain=2*4.0=8.0 kJ/mol

4.18 Name the following compound, identify each substituent as axial or equatorial, and tell whether
the conformation shown is the more stable or less stable chair form:
 t-Bu

t-Bu

Cl
Solution: The compound is 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-1-chloro-cyclohexane.
The tert-butyl on the left and Cl are axial, the tert-butyl on the right is equatorial.
The conformation shown is the less stable chair form, the more stable one is as follows:
t-Bu

t-Bu

Cl
4.19 trans-1,3-Di-tert-butylcyclohexane is one of the few molecules that exists largely in a twist-boat
conformation. Draw both a chair conformation and the likely twist-boat conformation, and then
explain why the twist-boat form is favored.
Solution:
Chair conformation Twist-boat conformation

H H H H
H
H C(CH3)3
H H
H H H C) C
(H3 3 H
(H3C)3C
H
H H
C(CH3)3 H
H H
In the chair conformation One of the substituents is in the axial position and the steric strain is large.
In the twist-boat conformation the two substituents are both in the equatorial positions and the some
strain is relieved.
4.20 Which isomer is more stable, cis-decalin or trans-decalin? Explain.
Solution:
Cis-decalin is less stable, because of the steric strain.
4.21 Name the following compound, identify each substituent as axial or equatorial, and tell whether
the conformation shown is the more stable or less stable chair form.
SOLUTION: the name: 1-chloro-3-methylcyclohexane
It is less stable chair form.
4.22 A trisubstituted cyclohexane with three substituents---red, yellow, and blue—undergoes a ring-flip
to its alternative chair conformation. Identify each substituent as axial or equatorial, and show
the positions occupied by the three substituents in the ring-flipped form.

SOLUTION: The ring-flip production:

4.23 Glucose exists in two forms having a 36:64 ratio at equilibrium. Draw a skeletal structure if each,
describe the difference between them and tell which of the two you think is more stable.
OH OH

O OH O OH

HO OH HO OH

OH OH
a-Glucose b-Glucose

Solution:
B-Glucose is more stable, for a-Glucose have more torsional strain beween the two C-O bonds on the
same side.
4.24 Consider 2-methylbutane (isopentane). Sighting along the C2-C3 bond:
(a) Draw a Newman projection of the most stable conformation.
(b) Draw a Newman projection of the least stable conformation.
(c) Since a CH3-CH3 eclipsing interaction costs 11KJ/mol and a CH3-CH3 gauche interaction cost
3.8KJ/mol, make a quantitative plot of energy versus rotation about the C2-C3 bond.
Solution:
CH3
H H

H H
a) H

H H
H H

HC
b) H3
 H H
H H CH3
H H

H H
HC
c)Rotate from H3 to H , the energy will be 11KJ/mol-3.8KJ/mol=7.2KJ/mol
4.25 What are the relative energies of the three possible staggered conformations around the C2-C3
bond in 2,3-dimethylbutane? (See Problem 4.24)
Solution:
3.8kJ/mol (3.8*3-3.8*2)
3.8kJ/mol 3.8kJ/mol
CH3 3.8kJ/mol
H3C H CH3
H3C CH3
H CH3 3.8kJ/mol
CH3 H3C H
3.8kJ/mol H

4.26 Construct a qualitative potential-energy diagram for rotation about the C-C bond of
1,2-dibromoehane. Which conformation would you expect to be more stable? Label the anti and
gauche conformations of 1,2-dibromoethane.
Solution:
The curve is similar to Figure 4.5 with different data.

Br Br
H H Br H

H H H H
Br H
anti gauche
The anti form is more stable.
4.27 Which conformation of 1,2-dibromoethane (Problem4.26)would you expect to have the large
dipole moment? The observed dipole moment is μ= 1.0 D. What does this tell you about the
actual structure of the molecule?
Br

H H
Br

Solution: For 1,2-dibromoethane the completely eclipsed conformation H H

will have the larger dipole moment. But the observed dipole moment tells us that the actual
structure of the molecule is changeable, the conformations convert constantly.
4.28 The barrier to rotation about the C-C bond in bromoethane is 15 kJ/mol (3.6 kcal/mol).
(a) What energy value can you assign to a H-Br eclipsing interaction?
(b) Construct a quantitative diagram of potential energy versus amount of bond rotation for
bromoetane.
Solution:
(a) We can assign a value of 15-(2*4)=7.0kJ/mol to an H-Br eclipsing interaction.
 (b)

Energy

2(B) 4(B) 6(B) 8(B) 12(B)

10(B)

15kJ/mol

1(A) 3(A) 5(A) 7(A) 9(A) 11(A)

Br Br
H H HBr H H
H H H
H H H H H
H H (B)
(A)Anti (B)Gauche

4.29: Draw the most stable conformation of pentane, using wedges and dashes to represent bonds
coming out of the paper and going behind the paper, respectively.
H H H H H H

C C C
C C H
H
Solution: H H H H
4.30: Draw the most stable conformation of 1,4-dichlorobutane, using wedges and dashes to represent
bonds coming out of the paper and going behind the paper, rrespectively.
H H
H H
Cl
C
C
C
C
Cl
H
H H
Solution: H

4.31 Draw a chair cyclohexane ring, and label all positions as axial or equatorial.

The red bonds represent axial positions, and the yellow ones represent equatorial positions.
4.32 A cis-1,2-disubstituted cyclohexane such as cis-1,2-dichloro-cyclohexane, must have one group
axial and one group equatorial. Explain.
Solution: Because their are just two kinds of carbon hydrogen bonds, and there are just one equatorial
bond and one axial bond on the same face of the two adjacent carbons.
4.33 A trans-1, 2-disubstituted cyclohexane must either have both groups axial or both groups
equatorial. Explain.
Solution: The structure of trans-1, 2-disubstituted cyclohexane will only be following, they could not
be one is a axial and the other is equatorial, that is cis isomers.
R

R
R

4.34 Why is a cis-1, 3-disubstituted cyclohexane more stable than its trans isomer?
Solution: In trans isomer, there will be torsional strain between R2 and H, so the cis isomer is more
stable.
H R2

H H
R2 H

R1 R1

cis trans

4.35 Which is more stable, a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane or its cis isomer?

trans cis

trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane is more stable. For the cis one has steric strain of
3.8*2=7.6kJ/mol.
4.36 cis-1,2-Dimethylcyclobutane is less stable than its trans isomer, but cis-1,3-dimethylcyclobutane
is more stable than its trans isomer. Draw the most stable conformations of both, and explain.
more stable

for 1,2-Dimethylcyclobutane
 the front one has steric strain. So the second one is more stable.
4.37 Draw two chair conformations of cis-1-chloro-methylcyclohexane. Which is more stable, and by
how much?
Solution:
H Cl
H
and Cl
CH3
H
H CH3
The total strain for first one is 2*1.0=2kJ/mol, and the total strain for the second one is
2*3.8=7.6kJ/mol, so the second one is more stable than first one, by 5.6kJ/mol.

4.38 Draw two chair conformations of trans-1-chloro-methylcyclohexane. Which is more stable?

Solution:
Cl

and Cl
CH3

CH3
The second one is more stable.
4.39 ß-Galactose, a sugar related to glucose, contains a six-membered ring in which all the substituents
except the –OH group indicated below in red are equatorial. Draw ß-galactose in its more stable chair
conformation.

HO O CH2OH

HO OH

OH
Galactose
 H OH

OH
HO H
HO O H
CH2OH

H H
4.40 Draw the two chair conformations of menthol, and tell which is more stable.
CH3

OH

CH
H3C
CH3 Menthol
Solution:
The first one:
H
CH3
H
OH
H

H
H
H

H
H
CH
H3C H
CH3
The second one:
H H
H3C H
H
CH H
H3C HO CH3
H
H
H H

The second one is more stable.

4.41 From the data in Figure 4.18 and Table 4.2, estimate the percentages of molecules that have their
substituents in an axial orientation for the following compounds:
(a) Isopropylcyclohexane (b) Fluorocyclohexane
(c) Cyclohexanecarbonitrile, C6H11CN (d) Cyclohexanol, C6H11OH
Solution: (a) About 13%. (b) About 42%. (c) About 45%. (d) About 26%.
4.42 Assume that you have a variety of cyclohexanes substituted in the positions indicated. Identify the
substituents as either axial or equatorial. For example, a 1, 2-cis relationship means that one substituent
must be axial and one equatorial, whereas a 1, 2-trans relationship means that both substituents are
axial or both are equatorial.
(a) 1, 3-Trans disubstituted (b) 1, 4-Cis dissubstituted
(c) 1, 3-Cis disubstituted (d) 1, 5-Trans disubstituted
(e) 1, 5-Cis disubstituted (f) 1, 6-Trans disubstituted
Solution: (a) One substituent must be axial and one equatorial.
(b) One substituent must be axial and one equatorial.
(c) Both substituents are axial or both are equatorial.
(d) One substituent must be axial and one equatorial.
(e) Both substituents are axial or both are equatorial.
(f) Both substituents are axial or both are equatorial.

4.43 The diaxial conformation of cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane is approximately 23 kJ/mol

(5.4kcal/mol) less stable than the diequatorial conformation. Draw the two possible chair
conformations, and suggest a reason for the large energy difference.
CH3 CH3

Solution: The diaxial one:

H3C
the diequatorial one: CH3

the diaxial one has the high energy for the methyls in the molecule have more steric
strain than the ones in the diequatorial molecule.
4.44 Approximately how much steric strain does the 1,3-diaxial interaction between the two methyl
groups introduced into the diaxial conformation of cis-1,3-dimethyl-cyclohexane?
Solution: 23kJ/mol.
4.45 In light of your answer to Problem 4.44, draw the two chair conformations of
1,1,3-trimethylcyclohexane, and estimate the amount of strain energy in each. Which
conformation is favored?
CH3 CH3
CH3
CH3 CH3
Solution: The two chair conformations: H3C
The strain energy in the first one is 7.6 kJ/mol, while the other one is 23 kJ/mol.
So the first one is favored.

4.46 Draw 1,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane using a regular hexagon to represent the ring. How many
cis-trans stereoisomers are there? Which stereoisomer is the most stable?

Solution: There are two cis-trans stereoisomers. They are:

The second one is more stable.
4.47: We saw in problem 4.20 that cis-decalin is less stable than trans-decalin. Asimme that the
1,3-diaxial interactions in trans-declin are similar to those in axial methylcyclohexane [that is,
one CH2-H interaction costs 3.8 kJ/mol(0.9kcal/mol)], and calculate the magnitude of the energy
difference between cis- and trans-decalin.
Solution: As there are four CH-H interactions, the totel magnitude of the energy difference between cis-
and trans-decalin is 15.2kJ/mol.
4.48: Using molecular model as well as structure drawings, explain why trans-decalin is rigid and
cannot ring-flip, whereas cis-decalin can easily ring-flip.
H
H
a
2 a
H b 1 2
1 b
Solution: (a) (b) H In cis-decalin as shown in (a), to the ring 1, the
bond a is an axial bond, and bond b is an equatorial one, when it ring-flip, bond a become an
equatorial one, and bond b become an axial one, ring 2 also can formed. But to trans-decalin,
the situation changed, both bond a and b are equatorial one, when ring-flip, they both become
axial ones, then ring 2 cannot be formed. So trans-decalin is rigid and cannot ring-flip and
cis-decalin can easily ring-flip.
4.49 trans-Decalin is more stable than its cis isomer, but cis-bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane is more stable than
its trans isomer. Explain.
H

H
Trans-Decalin cis-Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane
Solution:
H H

H H
H

H
cis-Decalin trans-Decalin
from the Newman project, it’s clear that the trans-Decalin is more stable than its cis isomer. But for
cis-bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane and its trans isomer, it is hard for the adjacent trans bonds of cyclopropane to
form cyclohexane because of its far distance.

4.50 How many cis-trans stereoisomers of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane are there? Draw the
structure of the most stable isomer.
Solution: There are 8 cis-trans stereoisomers of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane. The most stable
Cl

Cl Cl Cl Cl
one is Cl
4.51 Sight along C2-C3 bond and draw Newman projections of the most and least stable conformations.
Assign energy values.
Solution:
(a) 2-Methylbutane
CH3
H H

H CH3
Most stable CH3 strain energy=3.8kJ/mol

H CH3

CH3
H CH3
least stable H strain energy=21kJ/mol

(b) 2,2-Dimethylbutane
CH3
H CH3

H3C CH3
Most stable H strain energy=7.6kJ/mol

H3C CH3

H
H3C CH3
least stable H strain energy=23kJ/mol

(c) 2,3-Dimethylbutane
CH3
H3C H

H CH3
Most stable CH3 strain energy=7.6Kj/mol.

H3C CH3

CH3
H CH3
Least stable H strain energy=26kJ/mol

(d) 2,2,3-Trimethylbutane
CH3
H CH3

H3C CH3
Most stable CH3 strain energy=15.2kJ/mol
 H3C CH3

CH3
H3C CH3
least stable H strain energy=28kJ/mol
H3C CH3 CH3
H H
CH3
H3C CH3 H CH3
Surely, the H is the most strained and the CH3 is least strained

4.52 myo-Inositol, one of the isomers of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxycyclohexane, acts as a growth factor

in both animals and microorganisms. Draw the most stable chair conformation of myo-inositol.
OH OH
OH
OH

OH
OH
Solution:
OH

HO
HO
OH
HO
OH

4.53 One of the two chair structures of cis-1-chloro-3-methylcyclohexane is more stable than the other
by 15.5 kJ/mol(3.7kcal/mol).Which is it? What is the energy cost of a 1,3-diaxial interaction
between a chlorine and a methyl group?

Solution:

Cl
The structure of the more stable cis-1-chloro-3-methylcyclohexane is H3C .
Cl
CH3

15.5 kJ/mol-1.0 kJ/mol-3.8 kJ/mol=10.7 kJ/mol

So the energy cost of a 1,3-diaxial interaction between a chlorine and a methyl group is 10.7
kJ/mol.
4.54 The German chemist J. Bredt proposed in 1935 that bicycloalkenes such as 1-norbornene, which
have a double bond to the bridgehead carbon, are too strained to exist. Make a molecular model
of 1-norbornen, and explain Bredt’s proposal.
Solution: First, it may contain strong angle strain. For example, the carbon-carbon-carbon single bond
which at the six-atom-ring is smaller than 109。 and the carbon-carbon-carbon single bond
which connect the bridgehead is also smaller than 109。. This caused strong angle strain.
Second, it may contain strong torsional strain. The four hydrogen atom which is at the bottom
of the molecular in the picture caused torsional strain.
4.55 Tell whether each of the following substituents on a steroid is axial or equatorial. (A substituents
that is “up” is on the top face of the molecule as drawn, and a substituent that is “down ” is on the
bottom face.)
(a) Substituent up at C3 equatorial
(b) Substituent down at C7 axial
(c) Substituent down at C11 axial

CH3
CH3 11

3 7

4.56 Amantadine is an antiviral agent that is active against influenza A infection. Draw a
three-dimensional representation of amantadine showing the chair cyclohexane rings.

NH 2

Solution:

NH2

4.57 Alkyl halides undergo an elimination reaction to yield alkenes on treatment with strong base. For
 example, chlorocyclohexane gives cyclohexene on reaction with NaNH2:
Cl

NaNH2 + NH3
+ NaCl

If axial chlorocyclohexanes are generally more reactive than their equatorial isomers, which do you
think would react faster, cis-1-tert-butyl-2-chlorocyclohexane or trans-
1-tert-butyl-2-chlorocyclohexane? Explain.
Solution:
cis-1-tert-butyl-2-chlorocyclohexane will go reaction faster.
Because the cis one is staggered:
Cl

Bu

H
cis Nu
It’s a Zaitsev product.
While the trans one is eclipsed at the Butyl side, so it should be eliminated on the other side, which
forms a non- Zaitsev product.

Cl

H
H
Nu
Bu
So the cis one will react faster.

4.58 Ketones react with alcohols to yield products called acetals. Why does the all-cis isomer of
4-tert-butylcyclohexane-1,3-diol react readily with acetone and an acid catalyst to form an acetal.
But other stereoisomers do not react? In formulating your answer, draw the more stable chair
conformations of all four stereoisomers and the product acetal. Use molecular models for help.

H C(CH3)3 H C(CH3)3
H O H

HO O

H+
HO H O H

Solution:
 O H O H
O H
O H+
OH H2O
OH OH O
H H
H H
H H
(H3C)3C H H
H (H3C)3C
H
OH H H
OH
H H H H H H
H H
H
(H3C)3 C H
H
H
H H H
O H
OH2

OH O
H OH O
H H+ H -H2O O O
H H H
(H3C)3 C H H H
H (H3C)3C H H
H H (H3C) 3C H
H
H H H
H
H
H H H H H H