Aromatic Compunds Flashcards
Main Character
The magical ring of benzene
Describe Benzene
- Ring of Carbon atoms
- Molecular formula of C6H6
- Planar cyclic structure of six carbons joined together in a flat ring
- Each carbonic n atom forms single covalent bonds to the carbons on either side of it and to one hydrogen atom
- The final unpaired electron is located in the p-orbital that sticks out above and below the plane if the ring
- Forms a ring of delocalised electrons
- Length of the bonds is 140 pm
• What is the length of a single C-C bond?
• What is the length of a double C=C bond?
• C-C bond: 154 pm
• C=C bond: 135
Note
Hydrogens sticking out all in a flat plane
Draw the three structures of benzene
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What makes Benzene stable?
The delocalised ring of electrons
How can we investigate the stability of benzene
• Comparing the enthalpy change of hydrogenation
Describe the process of investigating the stability of benzene and Cyclohexene
- Cyclohexene has one double bond. When it’s hydrogenated, the enthalpy change is -120 kjmol-1. If benzene had three double bonds, you’d expect it to have an enthalpy of hydrogenation of -360 kjmol
- But the experimental enthalpy of hydrogenation of benzene is
- 208kj mol-1, far less exothermic than expected
- Energy is put in to break bonds and released when bonds are made. So more energy must have been put in to break the bonds in benzene than would be needed to break the bonds in a theoretical Cyclohexene
- The difference indicates that benzene is more stable than Cyclohexene would be. This thought to be due to the delocalised electrons
What compounds are derived from benzene
Aromatic Compounds
What are compounds containing benzene rings called?
Arenes or aromatic compounds
Draw the following structures:
• Chlorobenzene
• nitrobenzene
• 1,3-dimethylbenzene
• phenol
• phenylamine
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What type of reactions do arenes undergo?
Arenes undergo electrophilic substitution
Explain why arenes undergo electrophilic substitution reactions
- Benzene ring is a region of high electron density, attracts electrophiles
- The ring is stable, it doesn’t undergo electrophilic addition reactions which would destroy the delocalised ring of electrons, it undergoes electrophilic substitution
- One of the hydrogens is substituted for an electrophile
What are the two type of electrophilic substitution mechanisms you must know
- Friedel-crafts acylation
- Nitration reaction
What substance is produced during Friedel-crafts acylation
Phenylketones