Determine the total strain energy of cyclooctane using the values below:

• Actual heat of formation of cyclooctane: −29.7 kcal/mol
• Strainless heat of formation of cyclooctane: −39.4 kcal/mol

• A. −35 kcal/mol
• B. 14 kcal/mol
• C. 9.7 kcal/mol
• D. −9.7 kcal/mol

Answer: (C)