The general formula for and are CnH2n+2 and CnH2n , respectively. Axial and equatorial hydrogen atoms are interconverted during a . The anti conformation is in energy than a gauche conformation. The increase in energy when tetrahedral bond angles deviate from the optimum angle of 109.5° is known as strain. The position has more room than the position, so larger substituents are more stable in the equatorial position.

Alkanes

Cycloalkanes

Ring flip

Lower

Angle

Equatorial

Axial

Explanation:

For alkanes, the general molecular formula is CnH2n+2 while for cycloalkanes, the general molecular formula is CnH2n.

The cycloalkanes could undergo a ring flip in which axial and equatorial hydrogen atoms are interconverted.

The lower energy conformation of alkanes is the anti conformation and not the gauche conformation due to steric strain.

When the bond angle in alkanes deviate from the ideal 109.5°, an angle strain has occurred.

For bulky groups, the equatorial position his preferred since it has more room than the axial position.

2b2t

explanation:

2b2t