Energy Calculations

[Adam Perez]

I am extremely confused with the energy's that correspond to that of the different structures of different compounds, how should we be able to verify which structure has more energy if they are both in the chair position?

[Milan Hirpara 3K]

I am extremely confused with the energy's that correspond to that of the different structures of different compounds, how should we be able to verify which structure has more energy if they are both in the chair position?

You can tell which structure is more energetic by checking which structure is less stable. Less stable, means more energetic. If you're looking at two structures in the chair position you should be able to tell which one is less stable by looking at the set up of the large molecules or atoms. For example if you have 1-chlorocyclohexane, if the Cl is in the axial position there is going to be more energy due to strain, but if the Cl is set in the equatorial position the structure will be more stable.

[Aliya Habib 1L]

As Milan stated, it depends on the functional groups attached to the chair structure. With that being said, when those functional groups are farther from each other there is relatively less strain than if they were to be placed next to each other. Likewise, any axial positioning would create more strain than equatorial positioning.