On the nature of the electronic effect of multiple hydroxyl groups in the 6-membered ring – the effects are additive but steric hindrance plays a role too

and conformation were studied. The results show that the large difference in the electronic effect between the axial and equatorial hydroxyls is partially cancelled by counteracting steric hindrance from 1,3-diaxial interactions. Hydrogen bonding does not appear to play any role in the electronic influence of the hydroxyl groups.