Out of all the cycloalkanes, which one has the most ring strain and which one is strain free?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking which cycloalkane has the highest ring strain and which one is considered strain-free. It presents multiple choices that outline the ring strain characteristics of different cycloalkanes.
Answer
B. Cyclopropane - ring strain; Cyclohexane (chair) - strain-free.
The final answer is B. Cyclopropane has the most ring strain, and cyclohexane (chair conformation) is strain-free.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is B. Cyclopropane has the most ring strain, and cyclohexane (chair conformation) is strain-free.
More Information
Cyclopropane's small bond angle of 60º creates significant angle strain. Cyclohexane in the chair conformation minimizes ring strain with bond angles close to 109.5º.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing cyclopentane as strain-free due to its near 108º angles, but cyclohexane achieves a more ideal strain-free conformation.
Sources
- Ring Strain and the Structure of Cycloalkanes - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
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