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Gibbs free energy differences between axial-substituted and equatorial-substituted
Chapter 2, Problem 2.45(choose chapter or problem)
Gibbs free energy differences between axial-substituted and equatorial-substituted chairconformations of cyclohexane were given in Table 2.4.(a) Calculate the ratio of equatorial to axial tert-butylcyclohexane at 25C.(b) Explain why the conformational equilibria for methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl substitu-ents are comparable but the conformational equilibrium for tert-butylcyclohexanelies considerably farther toward the equatorial conformation.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Gibbs free energy differences between axial-substituted and equatorial-substituted chairconformations of cyclohexane were given in Table 2.4.(a) Calculate the ratio of equatorial to axial tert-butylcyclohexane at 25C.(b) Explain why the conformational equilibria for methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl substitu-ents are comparable but the conformational equilibrium for tert-butylcyclohexanelies considerably farther toward the equatorial conformation.
ANSWER:Key concept
Gibbs free energy
The change in Gibbs free energy, ?G, is a measure of the thermodynamic feasibility of a process. A negative ?G indicates that a process is spontaneous, while a positive ?G indicates that a process is nonspontaneous.
R = universal gas constant
T = temperature
Step 1 of 3
In order to calculate the ratio of equatorial to axial tert-butylcyclohexane, we will calculate 
From this we can calculate the equilibrium constant