Organic Chemistry 201

Chapter 4   Stereochemistry of Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

The following are items that you need to know for Exam II:

Alkanes have the general formulae:

CnH2n+2 for chains

CnH2n for rings

General abbreviation for an alkane: R-H where R- is any alkyl group.

Ethane: staggered / eclipsed

Conformation: factors that affect conformation

Dihedral angle

Butane: anti / gauche / eclipsed

Cycloalkanes

Cyclohexane: axial / equatorial

Substituted cyclohexanes

Synthesis