Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: a confused chiral girl on May 15, 2007, 08:44:04 PM

Title: Order of exothermicity
Post by: a confused chiral girl on May 15, 2007, 08:44:04 PM

Hi,

I am wondering which one is the most exothermic and which one is the least exothermic. I know that the least stable alkene would undergo the most exothermic hydrogenation, and the most stable alkene will undergo the least exothermic reaction. So, I know that #1 is the most exothermic because it is least stable since it is attached to a primary carbon.

I have trouble determining whether #2 or #2 is more exothermic.

thank you!

Title: Re: Order of exothermicity
Post by: Yggdrasil on May 16, 2007, 01:10:44 AM

Because of sterics, cis-alkenes are slightly less stable than trans-alkenes.