Because axial bonds are parallel to each other, substituents larger than hydrogen experience greater steric crowding when they are oriented axial rather than equatorial. Consequently, substituted cyclohexanes will preferentially adopt conformations in which the larger substituents are in the equatorial orientation.

When the methyl group in the structure above occupies an axial position it experiences steric crowding by the two axial hydrogens located on the same side of the ring.

The conformation in which the methyl group is equatorial is more stable, and thus the ring flip equilibrium favors the conformation with the equatorial methyl group.

The relative steric hindrance experienced by different substituent groups oriented in an axial versus equatorial location on cyclohexane may be determined by the conformational equilibrium of the compound. The corresponding equilibrium constant is related to the energy difference between the conformers, and collecting such data allows us to evaluate the relative tendency of substituents to exist in an equatorial or axial location. Table 1.1 summarizes some of these free energy values (sometimes referred to as A values).

Looking at the energy values in this table, it is clear that as the size of the substituent increases, the 1,3-diaxial energy tends to increase, also.  Note that it is the size and not the molecular weight of the group t

Table 1.1: A Selection of ΔG° Values for the Change from Axial to Equatorial Orientation of Substituents for Monosubstituted Cyclohexanes

hat is important.