Which of the following compounds can adopt a chair conformation in which there are no axial methyl groups?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a chair conformation, axial positions are less stable than equatorial positions due to steric hindrance. To minimize the energy of the molecule, it is favorable for the bulkier substituents to be in equatorial positions. In trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane, both methyl groups are on opposite sides of the ring, allowing them to adopt equatorial positions in a chair conformation. In contrast, both cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane and trans-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane have one methyl group on each side of the ring, which would result in at least one axial methyl group in a chair conformation. 1,1-dimethylcyclohexane doesn't even exist as a molecule, which makes it an invalid choice.

Which of the Following Compounds Can Adopt a Chair Conformation