Chem 334 - Fall 1999
Organic Chemistry I

Dr. Carl C. Wamser

Chapter 2 Notes: Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Hydrocarbons

only C-H and C-C single bonds (alkanes)
C=C double bond (alkenes)
C=C triple bonds (alkynes)
rings (cycloalkanes, bicycloalkanes, polycycloalkanes)
aromatic rings (arenes)

Alkane Family

Higher Alkanes

Alkane Isomers

straight-chain
branched-chain
cyclic chain

atoms connected in a different order
butane and isobutane
3 pentane isomers

Butane isomers

n-butane

isobutane

Pentane Isomers

Alkyl Groups

n-propyl alcohol

isopropyl alcohol

(constitutional isomers)

Butyl Groups

Classification of C Atoms

Identifying Carbon Classes

IUPAC Nomenclature

(substituents)-(parent alkane)-(family)

Cl-CH2CH2-OH
2-chloro ethan ol

IUPAC Rules

IUPAC Examples

IUPAC Examples

Cycloalkane nomenclature

Bicycloalkane nomenclature

6-bromobicyclo[3.2.1]octane

Writing Skeletal Structures

Practice with Line Structures

methylcyclohexane

tryptophane

molecular formula ?

Conformations

Ethane Conformations

C-H bonds on the two carbons may or may not align

eclipsed: C-H bonds are aligned

staggered: C-H bonds fit in between

Newman Projections

Potential Energy Diagrams

Butane conformations

Types of strain:

Small cycloalkanes

Cyclohexane

Monosubstituted cyclohexanes

PRACTICE DRAWING ACCURATE CHAIR FORMS WITH SUBSTITUENTS

equatorial generally preferred over axial
see the table in the text with delta G for axial vs equatorial

Disubstituted cyclohexanes - cis & trans isomerism

Depending on the substitution pattern, disubstituted cyclohexanes have different combinations of axial and equatorial substituents.

substitution

cis

trans

1,2-

e,a <==> a,e

e,e <==> a,a

1,3-

e,e <==> a,a

e,a <==> a,e

1,4-

e,a <==> a,e

e,e <==> a,a

Example - the two chair conformations for cis-1-chloro-3-methylcyclohexane involve either two axial substituents or two equatorial substituents. The latter is more stable.

 

Alkanes - physical properties and sources

Reactions of alkanes