Question

For the substituted cyclohexane compound given below, highlight the groups – by clicking on atoms – that will sterically interact with the methyl group in a 1,3-diaxial fashion.

Answer 1

This is the figure.

Answer 2

Interesting

Answer 3

Well for starters, axial groups are those that point either directly up or directly down on our chair form of cyclohexane

for example:



these are the positions of all our axial groups on the chair form of cyclohexane.

in-fact, it is not advisable to have large groups at the axial position, because there is a phenomena called 1-3, di axial interactions, meaning that the electron clouds of certain groups will repel each-other making our chair conformation less stable. If possible, what will happen is something called a ring flip. the ring will flip to minimize some of the repulsion caused by the 1-3 di axial interaction and will stay in the more stable conformation more.

Answer 4

In your figure it translates to this

Answer 5

All of the groups I circled groups are axial in this depiction; Well the CH3 should be also circled, i'm sorry for that. If I am correct, this molecule may under go a ring flip and when a ring flip happens all the groups that are axial become equatorial and all the equatorial groups become axial.

Answer 6

How do I know which group will sterically interact?

Answer 7

For this i'm not too sure but I believe there are 2 interactions at most possibly 3. the atoms have to be at the 3 position. so look at the axial group and label that as carbon 1, then count until you find the third atom and then look at the group that's axial.