Conformation and reactivity in alicyclic compounds

This chapter discusses how the presence of other groups on a substituent on a cyclohexane ring can perturb the conformational equilibrium and lead to conformational locking of the ring geometry. It probes the effect of different conformations on the reactivity of substituted cyclohexanes and considers steric and stereo-electronic factors as the two main types of effect. It also explains that steric effects are derived from large and repulsive close contacts or small attractive interactions operating over greater distances. The chapter talks about the significance of steric interference in the transition that increases the activation energy for the process and cause the reaction rate to be retarded by steric hindrance. It considers the hydrolysis of ethyl cyclohexane carboxylates as an appropriate example of the consequences of steric hindrance.