Question

Question: Classify the ring carbons as up C’s or down C’s. Identify the bonds highlighted in bold as axial or equatorial.

Short answer

Answer

The identification of the highlighted bonds, either axial or equatorial, is as illustrated below:

Step-by-step solution

Axial and equatorial positions

The horizontal and vertical bonding in any chair conformation is named equatorial (eq) and axial (ax) positions, respectively. The axial position is perpendicular to the structure.

Axial and equatorial bond in the given compound

The blue color shows the position of the axial bond, whereas the black color shows the position of the equatorial bond as illustrated below:

Comparing the above diagram with the given

The given conformation is compared with the above conformation. The highlighted bonds, as axial or equatorial, are as shown below:

Highlighted bonds as axial or equatorial