Equatorial bonds

Definition

Equatorial bonds in cyclohexane are the chemical bonds that extend outward from the center of the molecule, positioned roughly parallel to the equator if the cyclohexane ring is imagined as a globe. These bonds offer less steric strain than their axial counterparts, making them more stable in most substituent configurations.

Related terms

Axial bonds: Bonds that are oriented perpendicular to an imaginary plane drawn through the cyclohexane ring, often leading to more steric strain due to closer proximity of substituents.

Steric strain: The repulsion between atoms or groups within a molecule due to their physical size, often influencing stability and reactivity.

Cyclohexane chair conformation: A specific spatial arrangement of the cyclohexane ring that minimizes torsional and steric strain by alternating axial and equatorial positions around the ring