Winter 2011 Final Q8C

[Brandon_Phan_3J]

Question 8C asks you to draw the most stable conformation possible for cis-1-ethyl-2-methylcyclohexane and the answer shows a chair structure with an axial 2-methyl group and an equatorial 1-ethyl group, if I drew a chair structure with an equatorial 2-methyl group and an axial 1-ethyl group would the structure still be considered the most stable conformation of the molecule?

[Anthony Cannizzaro 3J]

I don't believe it would be as stable because if the ethyl group is axial it would cause steric strain.

[Rodri_Karla_1J]

The larger substituents have priority to be in the equatorial position, so ethyl would be equatorial.