Pre-lecture Reading Assignment: Cyclic Conformers

Quick Intro

Cyclic alkanes have different types of conformers than acyclic alkanes. We will focus on 6-membered rings (cyclohexanes) and their chair conformations. You will need a phyiscal model kit in class to help understand these three-dimensional structures and translate them into two -dimensional drawings.

 

Objectives

  • Identify the types of strain present in different cycloalkanes.
  • Draw both chair conformers for cyclohexane.
  • Draw chair conformers for substituted cyclohexane derivatives.
  • Perform "chair flips" for cyclohexan derivatives.
  • Distinguish between relative energies for different conformers of cyclohexane derivatives and explain the cause of the energy difference.

 

Associated Reading

  • Smith 3rd ed: Ch 4.11-4.13
  • Smith 4th ed: Ch 4.11-4.13
  • Smith 5th ed: Ch 4.11-4.13
  • Smith 6th ed: Ch 4.11-4.13

 

Your Tasks

Before Class

  • Complete assigned reading.
  • Get the worksheet for the lecture.

After Class

  • Work on more problems.
  • Go to a discussion section and/or office hours.
  • Review any areas that you struggled with on in-class activities.