Organic Chemistry (8th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321768418
ISBN 13: 978-0-32176-841-4

Chapter 3 - Structure and Stereochemistry of Alkanes - Problems - Page 122: Problem 3-27 a

Answer

When two groups are cis and adjacent to each other, both groups are up or down but one will be axial and the other will be equatorial.

Work Step by Step

For a conformation to be more stable, the bulkier group should be equatorial. In this case, ethyl (labeled as Et on image) should be equatorial instead of the methyl (labeled as me on image) group. See image.
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