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Which of the following molecules exhibits the least ring strain?

A. Cyclobutane
B. Cyclopentane
C. Cyclohexane
D. Cycloheptane

Answer :

Final answer:

Cyclohexane exhibits the least ring strain among the given molecules due to its chair conformation, which allows for optimal bond angles. In contrast, cyclobutane and cyclopentane have greater ring strain due to smaller bond angles. Therefore, cyclohexane is the most stable cyclic alkane listed.


Explanation:

Understanding Ring Strain in Cycloalkanes

Ring strain occurs in cyclic molecules when the bond angles deviate from the ideal angles, leading to increased energy and instability. Among the choices given, cyclohexane exhibits the least ring strain due to its ability to adopt a chair conformation, which allows for optimal bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees. This conformation minimizes steric strain by allowing more staggered interactions between hydrogen atoms on adjacent carbons.

In contrast, cyclobutane and cyclopentane have more angle strain because their bond angles are forced to be smaller than the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5 degrees. Cyclobutane has bond angles of about 90 degrees, while cyclopentane has angles around 108 degrees. Cycloheptane, while larger and having more flexibility than cyclobutane and cyclopentane, still experiences some strain due to non-ideal angles. The ring strain order from least to most is thus: cyclohexane < cycloheptane < cyclopentane < cyclobutane.


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