When two six-membered rings share a C-C bond, this bicyclic system is called a decalin. Th...

When two six-membered rings share a C-C bond, this bicyclic system is called a decalin. There are two possible arrangements; trans-decalin having two hydrogen atoms at the ring fusion on opposite sides of the rings, and cis-decalin having the two hydrogens at the ring fusion on the same side.

a.             Draw trans- and cis-decalin using the chair form for the cyclohexane rings.

b.             The trans isomer is more stable. Explain why.