1,3-Diaxial Interaction

1,3-Diaxial Interaction Definition:

Steric interactions that occur between axial substituents in a chair conformation.

1,3-Diaxial Interaction Explained:

Chair conformations are commonly used to describe the various interactions between atoms on cycylohexanes. The “1,3” describes the distance between the substituent and hydrogens that are in axial position.

If the substituent is in axial position when exhibiting a 1,3 interaction, then the chair conformation is in higher energy due to high electron density.