Aromatic chemistry Flashcards
BENZENE
what is aromatic chemistry?
the study of organic compounds containing benzene rings
Why is the name ‘aromatic’ used?
because a lot of these compounds have a distinct smell (an aroma)
what are aromatics important in the synthesis of?
aromatics are important in the synthesis of substances such as dyes, drugs, explosives and some plastics
what is the molecular formula for benzene?
C6H6
What is benzene said to be the ‘parent’ of?
benzene is said to be the ‘parent’ of a group of cyclic unsaturated compounds called the ARENES
what is the empirical formula for benzene?
CH
what is the molecular mass for benzene?
78
is benzene or alkenes more reactive?
benzene does not react like toher unstaurated compounds.
Benzene is fairly unreactive compared to the alkenes
How is benzene hydrogenated?
In the presence of Hydrogen gas + Nickel catalyst
Give the symbol equation to show the hydrogenation of benzene?
C6H6 +3H2 —–> C6H12
when benzene is hydrogenated, (h2 gas/Ni catalyst), 3 moles of H2 react with each mole of the benzene to form cyclohexane
what is formed when benzene is hydrogenated?
cyclohexane
What did Kekulè propose about the structure of benzene?
Kekulè proposed that benzene had a cyclic structure with alternating single and double carbon-carbon bonds
Draw the two proposed structures of benzene
what was benzene considered to be, but does not actually exist?
benzene is often considered to be a resonance hybrid of the 2 Kekulè structures, neither of which actually exists
what are the 4 main problems with kekulè structures?
- if benzene was unsaturated it should undergo electrophilic addition readily but it does not
- the reaction with benzene with chlorine, does in fact not produce 2 products as would be expected, instead only one product is formed (1,2-dichlorobenzene)
- X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the benzene molecule is planar and a regular hexagon. all single C-C bond lengths are equal (all 0.139nm). However, in the kekulè structure, the bond lengths would be different because single C-C bonds are longer than double C=C bonds. So c-c bond lengths would be (0.154nm) and c=c bonds to be (0.134nm)
- the enthalpy of hydrogenation value for benzene provides further evidence that the kekulè structures are incorrect
explain bond lengths in a real benzene molecule?
- the c-c bonds are all of equal length and equal strength (intermediate between single and double)
- Sigle c-c bonds are long and weak
- benzene c-c bonds are intermediate length and strength
- double c=c bonds are short and strong
enthalpies of hydrogenation
what evidence shows that benzene is more stable than kekulè proposed structure?
thermochemical evidence - enthalpies of hydrogenation
write out the symbol equation for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene
How much energy is released when cyclohexene is hydrogenated?
120KJ/mol-1
so when we hydrogenate kekulè structure (cyclohexa-1,3,5triene) we expect how much energy to be released?
3x more energy to be released than cyclohexene (has an extra 2 double bonds)
draw ou the symbol equation of kekulè structure being hydrogenated
what is the actual observed value for the hydrogenation of benzene?
208KJ/Mol-1
what do these results tell us?
- this is 152KJ/Mol-1 less than expected
- these results suggest that more energy is needed to break the ‘double bonds’ in benzene than to break 3 double bonds in an alkene
- benzene is therefore more stable than expected and less energy is released when benzene molecules are hydrogenated
Delocalisation stability
Why is benzene more stable?
the explanation for the extra stability is that π electrons in the carbon- carbon double bonds are delocalised around the benzene ring. the delocalisation of the electrons bring more stability to the benzene molecule
draw the skeletal and structural formula of benzene
what does te circle in benzene represent?
the circle represents the 6 delocalised electrons and all the carbon atoms bonded identically
describe the structure and bonding in benzene?
- the 6 carbon atoms in benzene are planar and arranged as a regular hexagon (all bond angles 120°)
- all bonds in benzene are identical
- each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 2 other carbon atoms and 1 hydrogen atom
- therefore, each carbon atom has 1 ‘unused’ p-electron
- delocalisation of the 6 ‘unused’ p-electrons produces electron density above and below the plane of the ring (pi electrons)
because the delocalisation satbilises the benzene molecule, this means that benzene is able to undergo?
overall addition reactions with difficulty
what is the delocalised energy/ resonance energy?
the increase in stability associated with electron delocalisation
Benzene - Electrophilic Substitution
Why is the benzene molecule attacked by electrophiles?
- benzene has a region of high density above and below the plane of the molecule. so the molecule is attacked by positively charged species (electrophiles)