Which of the following correctly ranks the cycloalkanes in order of increasing ring strain per methylene?
A) cyclopropane

Question

Which of the following correctly ranks the cycloalkanes in order of increasing ring strain per methylene?
A) cyclopropane < cyclobutane < cyclohexane < cyclopentane
B) cyclohexane < cyclopentane < cyclobutane < cyclopropane
C) cyclohexane < cyclobutane < cyclopentane < cyclopropane
D) cyclopentane < cyclopropane < cyclobutane < cyclohexane
E) cyclopropane < cyclopentane < cyclobutane < cyclohexane

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cyclohexane has the least ring strain as it can adopt a chair conformation that minimizes torsional strain and angle strain, making it the most stable. Cyclopentane has more strain than cyclohexane but less than cyclobutane and cyclopropane. Cyclobutane has more strain due to its smaller ring size and angle strain, but less than cyclopropane, which has the highest ring strain due to its very small ring size and significant angle strain.

Which of the Following Correctly Ranks the Cycloalkanes in Order