Which of the following statements about conformations of methylcyclohexane is true?
A) The energy barrier to interconvert these is too high to be achieved at room temperature.
B) The two forms are in equilibrium and are present in equal amounts at room temperature.
C) The two forms are not in equilibrium but are present in equal amounts at room temperature.
D) The two forms are in equilibrium but are not present in equal amounts at room temperature.
E) The two forms are not in equilibrium and are not present in equal amounts at room temperature.

Question

Which of the following statements about conformations of methylcyclohexane is true? 
A) The energy barrier to interconvert these is too high to be achieved at room temperature. 
B) The two forms are in equilibrium and are present in equal amounts at room temperature. 
C) The two forms are not in equilibrium but are present in equal amounts at room temperature. 
D) The two forms are in equilibrium but are not present in equal amounts at room temperature. 
E) The two forms are not in equilibrium and are not present in equal amounts at room temperature.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The two forms of methylcyclohexane, axial and equatorial, are in equilibrium but are not present in equal amounts at room temperature. The equilibrium is shifted towards the more stable conformation, which is the equatorial form, due to steric hindrance between the axial hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the equatorial form is more favored and present in a higher amount than the axial form at room temperature.

Which of the Following Statements About Conformations of Methylcyclohexane Is