Cyclohexane Ring Flip

The cyclohexane ring flip demonstrates the dynamic interconversion between different conformers. Hydrogens are colored blue or red to to show the interconversion between axial and equatorial positions. A reaction coordinate diagram shows the relative energy at each point. The half chair and boat conformations are transition states that bridge the twist boat (local minimum) and chair (global minimum) conformations.

This conformational pathway illustrates why cyclohexane exists primarily in the chair form, as all other conformations are higher in energy.