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ERIC Number: EJ925946
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Mar
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Toward Consistent Terminology for Cyclohexane Conformers in Introductory Organic Chemistry
Nelson, Donna J.; Brammer, Christopher N.
Journal of Chemical Education, v88 n3 p292-294 Mar 2011
Recommended changes in use of cyclohexane conformers and their nomenclature will remedy inconsistencies in cyclohexane conformers and their nomenclature that exist across currently used organic chemistry textbooks. These inconsistencies prompted this logical analysis and the resulting recommendations. Recommended conformer names are "chair", "half-chair", "twist-boat", and "boat". These names are frequently used, although usually combined with additional or alternate names that can confuse students consulting multiple textbooks. The half-chair conformation structure with four coplanar carbons is recommended instead of the structure with five coplanar carbons, because calculations predict it is more stable and lies on the lowest energy pathway for cyclohexane conformer interconversion. Currently, the incorrect structure with five coplanar carbons is most often presented to students. As defined, the recommended names and structures are consistent, descriptive, pedagogically useful, and in agreement with research literature. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)
Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A