Stability of Cycloalkanes:Ring Strain Angle strain Experimental data show that Baeyer's theory is only partially correct 120 28.7 100 23.9 80 19.1 60 14.3 9.6 0 4.8 0 34567891011121314 Ring size oC. Baeyer assumed all cycloalkanes to be flat Angle strain occurs only in small rings that have little flexibility Angle strain ▪ Experimental data show that Baeyer’s theory is only partially correct ▪ Baeyer assumed all cycloalkanes to be flat ▪ Angle strain occurs only in small rings that have little flexibility Stability of Cycloalkanes: Ring Strain