Offer an explanation for each of the following observations.

(a) Compound A exists mostly in a chair conformation with an equatorial —OH group, but compound B prefers a chair conformation with an axial —OH group.

(b) The racemate of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3,4- hexanediol exists with a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond, but the meso stereoisomer has no intramolecular hydrogen bond.

Transcribed Image Text:

A НО B ОН