Dichlorocyclohexanes: an introduction

The next level of complexity is a di-substituted cycloalkane, “dichlorocyclohexane”. The first question we must ask is which C the two chlorine substituents are on. For now, I want to discuss 1,3- dichlorocyclohexane. This introduces another issue: are the two Cl on the same side of the ring, or on opposite sides? We call these “cis” (same side) and “trans” (opposite sides). We focus on one of these, cis-1,3-dichlorocyclohexane. And for now, we will just look at hexagon structural formulas, leaving the question of conformation for later. Let’s go through this one step at a time.

1,3-Dichlorocyclohexane

Our first attempt to draw 1,3-dichlorocyclohexane might look something like Figure 1.

Figure 1.

The structure in Figure 1 is indeed a dichlorocyclohexane. It is even a 1,3-dichlorocyclohexane. However, this structure provides no information about the orientation of the two Cl atoms relative to the plane of the ring. To show a specific isomer — cis or trans — we must somehow show how the two Cl atoms are oriented relative to the plane of the ring.

cis-1,3-Dichlorocyclohexane

Figure 2 shows two common ways to show how the substituents are oriented relative to the plane of the ring. The compound shown here is cis-1,3-dichlorocyclohexane.

Figure 2.

The basic idea in both of these is that we can imagine the ring to be planar, and then show the groups above or below the plane of the ring. How we show this is different in the two parts of Figure 2. In Figure 2A, we look at the ring “edge-on”. The thick line for the bottom bond is intended to convey the edge-on view (or side view); this is sometimes omitted, especially with hand-drawn structures, but be careful then that the meaning is clear. Once we understand that we are now looking at the ring edge-on, it is clear that the two Cl atoms are both above the ring, hence cis. In Figure 4.8.2 B, we view the ring “face-on” (or top view), and use special bond symbols — “stereo bonds” — to convey up and down: the heavy wedge — an “up wedge” — points upward, toward you, and the dashed bond — a “down bond” — points downward, away from you. Again, both Cl are “up”, hence cis.

Notes…

For some notes on how to draw the stereo bonds, see the section E.1. Note: How to draw stereo bonds (“up” and “down” bonds).

In discussing Figure 2, I started by saying that we imagine the ring to be planar. Emphasize that cycloalkane rings are not really planar (except for cyclopropane rings). As so often, the structural formula represents the general layout of the atoms, but not the actual molecular geometry.

Those with the Ouellette book can see examples of these two ways of showing up/down on p 81 (top) and p 80 (middle). Most organic chemistry books will show you this.

The conformation of cis-1,3-dichlorocyclohexane

Figure 3, at the right, is one way to show this. Figure 3 shows features of the compound that we have already noted — plus one more. Let’s go through these features, emphasizing what is new.

Figure 3.

The structure shows cis-1,3-dichlorocyclohexane: a 6-ring; 2 Cl atoms, at positions 1 and 3; and cis, with both Cl on the same side of — above — the H that is on the same C.

I showed the 2 Cl atoms at corner positions, and I showed the H at the key positions explicitly. These points follow from some of the Helpful Hints discussed earlier. It is not required that you do these things, but they can make things easier for you — and for anyone reading your structures.

Now, what is new here? The conformation. We start with the notion that the conformation of cyclohexane derivatives is based on the “chair”. At each position, one substituent is axial (loosely, perpendicular to the ring), and one is equatorial (loosely, in the plane of the ring). There is more room in the equatorial positions (not easily seen with these simple drawings, but ordinary ball and stick models do help with this point). Thus we try to put the larger substituents in the equatorial positions. In this case, we put the Cl equatorial and the H axial at each position 1 and position 3.

We are now done with this compound, cis-1,3-dichlorocyclohexane. However, we have missed one very important concern — because it is not an issue in this case. So let’s look at another compound.

cis-1,2-Dichlorocyclohexane

cis-1,2-Dichlorocyclohexane is like the previous compound, except that the two chloro groups are now at 1,2, rather than at 1,3. Figure 4 shows a simple structural formula for 1,2-dichlorocyclohexane, without orientation. This is analogous to Figure 1 above for the 1,3 isomer.	Figure 4

Figure 5	Figure 5 shows two ways to show the cis orientation in cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane. This Figure is analogous to Figure 3 above for the 1,3 isomer.

Figures 4.8.4 and 4.8.5 above introduce no new ideas or complications. These two figures should be straightforward.

So, what is the preferred conformation of cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane? This requires careful consideration; an important lesson from this exercise is to realize that we cannot propose a good conformation based simply on what we have learned so far.

The two guidelines we have so far for conformation of 6-rings are:

• The carbon ring is in a chair.
• Larger substituents are in equatorial positions.

Let’s explore the difficulty here by looking at some things people might naively draw.

Figure 6	Figure 6 shows an attempt to draw a chair conformation of cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane. It satisfies both of the guidelines listed above. But it is wrong.

Why is Figure 6 wrong? It is the wrong chemical. The structure shown in Figure 4.8.6 is trans, not cis. Look carefully at the 1 and 2 positions. At one of them, the H is above the Cl; at the other, the Cl is above the H. Trans. Wrong chemical. The structure shown in Figure 6 is not the requested chemical.

Figure 7	Figure 7 attempts to fix the problem with Figure 6. But it is also wrong.

Why is Figure 7 wrong? After all, it seems to address the criteria presented. It contains both of the larger atoms (Cl) equatorial, and they are cis as desired. However, in Figure 7, the two axial groups on carbons # 1 and 2 (the two H that are shown) are both pointing up. This is impossible. In a valid chair, the axial groups alternate up/down as one goes around the ring; see Figure 2B, above. This follows from the tetrahedral bonding of C. Adjacent axial groups, as relevant here, must point in opposite directions; that condition is violated here. That is, Figure 7 is not a valid chair.

Those who find the above point new or surprising should check their textbook. If possible, look at models of cyclohexane and simple derivatives such as the one here. Figure 2B, above, is correct. In my experience, many students have not yet noticed this feature of chair conformations.

If you think you have an alternative that is better (or even satisfactory), please show it to me. I suspect it will turn out to be equivalent to Figure 6 or Figure 7, above. But if you think it is good, let’s discuss it.

So now what? We have a contradiction. And that really is the most important point here. It is important to realize that we cannot draw a conformation for cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane which easily fits the criteria we have used so far: a chair, with large groups equatorial. So what do we do? Clearly, the conformation of this compound must, in some way, involve more issues than what we have considered so far.

Instructors and books will vary in how much further explanation they want to give on this matter. Therefore, how you proceed from here must take into account the preferences in your course. Here is one way to proceed.

One simple way to proceed is to re-examine the two criteria we have been using, and then state a generality about what to do in the event of a conflict. That generality is: use the chair, and then fit the groups as best you can. That is, try to put as many of the larger groups equatorial as you can, but realize that you may not get them all equatorial.

Figure 8	Figure 8 shows a plausible chair conformation of cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane.

What have we accomplished here? First, this is the correct compound. Convince yourself that this really is cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane. In particular, it is cis because at each substituted position the Cl is “above” the H; that is, both Cl are on the same side of the ring.

Second, this is a proper chair. Adjacent axial groups point in opposite directions. Only two of them are shown here: the axial Cl on the upper right C is “up”, and the axial H on the lower right C is “down”. Thus, these aspects satisfy the proper way to orient things, in general, on a cyclohexane chair.

How good a conformation is the one shown in Figure 8? Actually, it is quite good, in this case. The actual conformation has been measured, and it follows the basic ideas shown here.

Is this the end of the story? No, but it is about enough for now. The main purpose here was to show how one must carefully look at conformation, within the constraints of the specific isomer one is trying to draw. Some compounds cannot be easily drawn within the common “rules”. cis-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane is one such example. In this case, we kept the basic chair conformation, but put one larger group in the less favored axial orientation. Measurements on many such chemicals have shown that the energetic penalty of moving a cyclohexane ring much away from the basic chair conformation is quite large — certainly larger than the energetic penalty of putting one “somewhat large” group in an axial position. Of course, with larger groups or more groups, this might not hold.

Contributors

• Dr. Dietmar Kennepohl FCIC (Professor of Chemistry, Athabasca University)
• Prof. Steven Farmer (Sonoma State University)
• Organic Chemistry With a Biological Emphasis by Tim Soderberg (University of Minnesota, Morris)
• Jim Clark (Chemguide.co.uk)