Aromatic compounds chp 25 Flashcards
what are some characteristics of benzene
- aromatic ring
- contains delocalised pi electron ring
- undergoes electrophilic substituion
- very stable (unreactive)
- soluble in organic solvents due to being non-polar
- high boiling and melting point
what is benzene classified as
Benzene is classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon or arene.
What is the molecular formula of benzene
C6H6
What was the structure proposed by kekule
In 1865 kekule suggested that the structure of benzene was based on a six membered ring of carbon atoms joined by alternate single and double bonds.
What evidence is there that disproves kekules model of benzene
- The lack of reactivity of benzene (dont declourise bromine water)
- The lengths of the carbon-carbon bonds in benzene
- Hydrogenation enthalpies (less exothermic than kekules structure)
How does lack of reactivity of benzenes provide evidence against kekules structure
- if benzene contained the C=C bonds it should decolourise bromine in an electrophilic addition reaction
- Benzene does not undergo electrophilic addition reactions
- suggests that benzene cannot have any C=C bonds in its structure
What can be used to measure bond length
How can bonds length disprove kekules structure of benzene
- X-ray diffraction
- all the bonds in benzene are between the length of double and single bonds
^0.139 nm - so no bonds in benzene are single or double
How does hydrogenation enthalpies provide evidence against kekules structure
- as enthalpy of hydrogenation is less exothermic is means the structure of benzene is more stable that the proposed structure
^led scientists to develop delocalised ring model
How is the delocalised ring formed in the benzene
- Adjacent p-orbitals overlap sideways create ring of pi electron density
^above and below plane of carbon ring - 6 electrons (from the carbons) occupy this system of π-bonds
- said to be delocalised.
What is an aromatic compound with 1 substituent group called
Monosubstituent
When would the prefix phenyl be used in benzene nomenclature
- When a benzene ring is attached to an alkyl chain with a functional group/seven or more carbon atoms
dont get confused with phenol
what are some exceptions to the nomenclature conventions of benzene
- Benzoic acid (benzenecarboxylic acid)
- phenylamine
- benzaldehyde (benzenecarbaldehyde)
What are compounds with 2 substituent groups called
what does this mean for the nomenclature
- disubstituent compounds have 2 substituent groups
- ring is numbered, like carbon chain,
- substituent groups listen in alphabetical order using the smallest numbers possible
what is a substituent group
an atom or group of atoms substituted in place of a hydrogen atom on the parent chain of a hydrocarbon
What reaction mechanism does benzene and its derivates undergo
Benzene and its derivatives undergo electrophilic substitution
How does benzene react with nitric acid
- reacts slowly with nitric acid to form nitrobenzene
- conditions are H2SO4 and 50 degree celsius
What are the conditions for the reaction of nitric acid and benzene
- The reaction is catalysed by sulphuric acid and heated to 50 () to obtain a good rate of reaction. A water bath is used to maintain the steady temperature
- If the temperature of the reaction rises above 50 (), further substitution reactions may occur leading to the production of dinitrobenzene.
what is nitrobenzene used for
Nitrobenzene is an important starting material in the preparation of dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It can be used as a starting material in the preparation of paracetamol.
Draw the full reaction mechanism for the nitration of benzene
Name examples of halogen carriers
AlCl3, FeCl3, AlBr3, FeBr3
what are halogen carriers and what is their function
- allow for the halogenation of benzene
- they weaken bond in halogen molecule, ionising it to an electrophile
- this electrophile can then react with benzene which it couldn’t do before
What are the conditions necessary for the bromination of benzene
At room temperature and pressure and in the presence of a halogen carrier, benzene reacts with bromine in an electrophilic substitution reaction
Draw the full reaction mechanism for the bromination of benzene
chlorine will react in the same way