When to Determine Chair Conformation

[Nathan Sanchez 1F]

When do you know that the chair, boat, or flip chair is the most table conformation to draw?

[Jenny2G]

Chair will always be the most stable conformation because it requires less energy. The boat conformation needs more energy due to the flagpole interaction and the pairs of eclipsed Rs.

[Jessica Pak 2F]

Both chair conformations (since they are the same thing) are equally the most stable for cyclohexane. Differences in stability is affected when adding substituents onto 1- and 4-carbons on the chair, where it is preferred to be positioned as equatorial on both carbons instead of axial.

[William Weng 2L]

It will normally be stated in the question, otherwise, all forms of confirmation will be given credits.