Question

Hydrocortisone, a naturally occurring hormone produced in the adrenal glands, is often used to treat inflammation, severe allergies, and numerous other conditions. Is the indicated$\mathbf{-}\mathbf{OH}$ group axial or equatorial?

Short answer

The $\text{-OH}$group of hydrocortisone indicates the axial position.

Step-by-step solution

Chair form of cyclohexane

Four conformations are possible for cyclohexane: a chair, twist boat, boat, and half chair. Among all the four conformations chair form of cyclohexane is considered a very stable one. Chair conformation of cyclohexane is as follows;

Here ‘a’ indicates the axial position and ‘e’ indicates the equatorial position.

The -OH group of hydrocortisone

The $\text{-OH}$group of hydrocortisone indicates axial position if we compare it with the above chair model of cyclohexane.