Aromatic Conpounds

Question 1

Describe the delocalisee model or benzene

Answer 1

• Each carbon uses three of its electrons two bond to two carbons and one hydrong
• each carbon has one electron in a p-orbital at right amgles to the plane
• this forms sideways overlap of adjacent p-orbitals above and below the plane of the carbon atoms forming a ring of electron density
• this creates a system of Pi bonds made from 6 delocalised electrons

Question 2

What shows phenol is more reactive than benzene?

Answer 2

• Phenol reacts with nitric acid and bromine more readily than benzene without a halogen carrier catalyst
• as lone pair of electrons from -OH is donated to the Pi-system increasing its electron density and therefore attracting electrophiles more strongly