Final 2012 6B

[James C]

Question 6B on Winter 2012 Final Exam states:

"Name the following organic compounds."

The solution guide reads: 1-isopropyl-3-neopentylcyclohexane (for the first molecule)

If the organic molecule contains a cyclohexane, why do we not designate cis or trans for the compound?

[y3chem]

you designate cis or trans when you see a double bond. :)

[y3chem]

actually, yes, you should, in this case, it will be cis because 1-isopropyl-3-neopentylcyclohexane has a isopropyl on 1 and neopentyl on 3, to have a stable conformation you will have to put them in the equatorial position.
since they are one 1 and 3, the atoms are on the same side, so its cis.

i am not sure why they didn't put cis in the solution, but you should put in down in case.

[James C]

I thought you listed cis or trans for double bond and cyclic structures?

[James C]

@ychem

Thanks!

[Chem_Mod]

This molecule was drawn without designating the direction (up or down) of the two functional groups. Therefore, we cannot stipulate cis or trans in the name because we do not have that information.

in this case, it will be cis because 1-isopropyl-3-neopentylcyclohexane has a isopropyl on 1 and neopentyl on 3, to have a stable conformation.

Not necessarily. We cannot assume that the molecule is in this conformation based on the given structure. Only if the structure had been drawn using wedges and dashes or as a chair could we designate cis or trans.

[y3chem]

got it. I was assuming that the question asks for the most stable conformation. :)