Stability of Cycloalkanes: Ring Strain and Conformations

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Why do cycloalkanes have a lower number of hydrogen atoms compared to acyclic alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms?

Because they have a higher molecular weight

Because they have no ends that need to be capped off with hydrogen atoms (correct)

Because they have a more stable molecular structure

Because they have a more compact cyclic shape

What is the general molecular formula for simple cycloalkanes?

CnH2n (correct)

CnHn

CnHn+2

CnH2n+2

What is the main reason for the difference in physical properties between cycloalkanes and branched acyclic alkanes?

The difference in molecular weight

The difference in boiling points

The difference in number of hydrogen atoms

The difference in molecular shape (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cycloalkanes?

They have a high heat of combustion Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of ring strain on the stability of cycloalkanes?

It decreases the stability of cycloalkanes Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the molecular weight of cycloalkanes and their boiling points?

Their boiling points increase with increasing molecular weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the general molecular formula for a cycloalkane?

(CH2)n Signup and view all the answers

Why is the molar heat of combustion of cyclohexane nearly twice that of cyclopropane?

Because cyclohexane contains twice as many methylene groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dividing the heat of combustion by the number of methylene groups?

To compare the relative stabilities of cycloalkanes Signup and view all the answers

What is the reference value used to compare the relative amounts of ring strain in cycloalkanes?

658.6 kJ (157.4 kcal) per mole of groups Signup and view all the answers

Which cycloalkane has no ring strain at all?

Cyclohexane Signup and view all the answers

What is the general trend of ring strain in cycloalkanes as the number of methylene groups increases?

Ring strain decreases with the number of methylene groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the higher stability of five-membered and six-membered rings?

Their bond angles are closest to the ideal 109.5° Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the strain associated with the orbitals of carbon–carbon bonds not achieving optimum overlap?

Baeyer strain Signup and view all the answers

Why do eclipsed bonds give rise to strain in cycloalkanes?

Because they have a higher torsional strain Signup and view all the answers

Stability of Cycloalkanes: Ring Strain and Conformations

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Questions and Answers

Why do cycloalkanes have a lower number of hydrogen atoms compared to acyclic alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms?

What is the general molecular formula for simple cycloalkanes?

What is the main reason for the difference in physical properties between cycloalkanes and branched acyclic alkanes?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cycloalkanes?

What is the effect of ring strain on the stability of cycloalkanes?

What is the relationship between the molecular weight of cycloalkanes and their boiling points?

What is the general molecular formula for a cycloalkane?

Why is the molar heat of combustion of cyclohexane nearly twice that of cyclopropane?

What is the purpose of dividing the heat of combustion by the number of methylene groups?

What is the reference value used to compare the relative amounts of ring strain in cycloalkanes?

Which cycloalkane has no ring strain at all?

What is the general trend of ring strain in cycloalkanes as the number of methylene groups increases?

What is the primary reason for the higher stability of five-membered and six-membered rings?

What is the name of the strain associated with the orbitals of carbon–carbon bonds not achieving optimum overlap?

Why do eclipsed bonds give rise to strain in cycloalkanes?

What is the name of the Nobel Prize winner who first attempted to explain the relative stabilities of cyclic molecules?

What is the bond angle of carbon atoms in acyclic alkanes?

What type of strain is present in a planar cyclobutane?

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