On the mechanism of conformational interconversion in cyclohexene derivatives

The free energy barriers to ring inversion for 3,3-dimethylcyclohexene, 4,4-dimethylcyclohexene and 3,3,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexene were determined by low temperature PMR studies. The results were interpreted in terms of a mechanism whereby the boat conformation is of highest energy on the energy profile for conformational interconversion. The very high ΔG^≠ value for 3,3,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexane (8·4 kcal/mole) is considered a reflection of the serious non bonded interaction that exists between methyl groups at the “prow” positions of the boat form.