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NMR Spectroscopy of Benzene Derivatives01:37

NMR Spectroscopy of Benzene Derivatives

Simple unsubstituted benzene has six aromatic protons, all chemically equivalent. Therefore, benzene exhibits only a singlet peak at δ 7.3 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum. The observed shift is far downfield because the aromatic ring current strongly deshields the protons. Any substitution on the benzene ring makes the aromatic protons nonequivalent, and the protons split each other. The peak is, therefore, no longer a singlet and the splitting pattern and their associated coupling constants depend...
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition01:11

Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition

Simple aryl halides do not react with nucleophiles. However, nucleophilic aromatic substitutions can be forced under certain conditions, such as high temperatures or strong bases. The mechanism of substitution under such conditions involves the highly unstable and reactive benzyne intermediate. Benzyne contains equivalent carbon centers at both ends of the triple bond, each of which is equally susceptible to nucleophilic attack. This 50–50 distribution of products is confirmed through isotopic...
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction00:59

Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction

The benzylic position describes the position of a carbon atom attached directly to a benzene ring. Benzene by itself does not undergo oxidation. In contrast, the benzylic carbon is quite reactive in the presence of strong oxidizing agents such as KMnO4 or H2CrO4. Therefore, alkylbenzenes are readily oxidized to benzoic acid, irrespective of the type of alkyl groups.
Nomenclature of Aromatic Compounds with a Single Substituent01:23

Nomenclature of Aromatic Compounds with a Single Substituent

Benzene is the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon or arene. The IUPAC names for simple monosubstituted benzene derivatives are derived by adding the substituent's name as a prefix to the parent benzene. For example, halobenzene, where the halogen could be fluoro (F), chloro (Cl), bromo (Br), and iodo (I).
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Halogenation01:11

Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Halogenation

Benzylic halogenation takes place under conditions that favor radical reactions such as heat, light, or a free radical initiator like peroxide.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene01:20

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene

The nitration of benzene is an example of an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. It involves the formation of a very powerful electrophile, the nitronium ion, which is linear in shape. The reaction occurs through the interaction of two strong acids, sulfuric and nitric acid.