What is Benzene
Benzene is defined as a hydrocarbon, having the chemical formula as C6H6. It contains six carbon atoms, which are joined in a ring and contain one hydrogen atom, which is attached to every carbon atom. By replacing either one or more of the hydrogen atoms with the functional group, we can avail many benzene compounds. And, while naming the substituted benzene compounds, we can prefix the substituent name to the word benzene.
Mono-Substituted Benzene Compounds
For the benzene compounds that consist of a single substituent, we simply prefix the substituent name to as benzene. A few examples, along with the common names, can be listed as follows:
Methylbenzene or Toluene
Benzene Compounds - Toluene
(Image to be added soon)
Toluene
Hydroxybenzene or Phenol
Benzene Compounds - Phenol
(Image to be added soon)
Phenol
Aminobenzene or Aniline
Benzene Compounds - Aniline
(Image to be added soon)
Aniline
Ethylbenzene
Benzene Compounds
(Image to be added soon)
Di-Substituted Benzene Compounds
When there exist two substituents in the compound, we can number every carbon atom in such a way that the substituents can be attached to the lowest possible numbered carbon atom.
1,3-dinitrobenzene is given as the name of the compound, which is given below. Naming it as 1,5-dinitrobenzene is not correct due to the reason, the carbon atom may not be numbered lowest.
(Image to be added soon)
1,3-dichlorobenzene
(Image to be added soon)
Also, when there exists more than one substituent, we can also name their positions as ortho- (o), meta- (m), para- (p). They also refer to the positions as 1,2-; 1,3- and 1,4- respectively. Therefore, we can name the 1,3-dichlorobenzene compound as m-dichlorobenzene.
Poly-Substituted Benzene Compounds
In the case of the poly-substituted compounds, if there exists a base compound, we can assign that as position 1. Then, we choose the next specific compound for numbering such that it will get the lowest number. Moreover, if there exists zero special or base group, we will list them in the alphabetical order by giving them the lowest numbers.
1-Bromo-2,4-dinitrobenzene
(Image to be added soon)
For the following compound, aniline is the base compound. So, we name it as 3-Chloro-2-nitroaniline.
(Image to be added soon)
Key Points
For the substituted benzene rings type, in which the substituent contains more than six carbons, the benzene ring can be noted by using a phenyl prefix on the name of alkane.
For the substituted benzene rings, in which the substituent has less than six carbons, the resultant alkyl chain can be added as a prefix with the ending changed to as -yl.
Whereas, for the benzene rings having multiple substituents, the ring atoms can be numbered to minimize the substituent groups numbering; alternatively, as meta or para or ortho nomenclature (benzene nomenclature) is used for the di-substituted rings.
Terms
orthoA prefix can be used to name the aromatic ring having two adjacent substituents.
metaA prefix can be used to name an aromatic ring having two substituents separated by one carbon present on the ring.
Whereas, paraA prefix can be used to name an aromatic ring having two substituents directly across from one another present on the ring.
Aromatic compounds are defined as the ring structures having unusual stability because of the delocalized pi-electron density, which can be shared between all of the carbon atoms present in the ring.
Historically, there exists a number of common names for aromatic structures. These particular names can be frequently used in favour of standardized IUPAC nomenclature (benzene nomenclature). For example, we can say that methylbenzene is often referred to as toluene, whereas dimethyl benzene is often referred to as xylene.
Naming the Aromatic Compounds
This type of nomenclature explains us through the IUPAC rules for benzene type of molecules and includes the common names for the substituted benzene.
Aromatic Compounds
Aromatic Compounds having a Single Substituent
When there exists a single substituent on a benzene ring, and the substituent has either six or fewer carbons, then, the substituent is included as a prefix to the benzene compound. Alkyl groups can be named as per the alkane series convention, which is ending with -yl: methyl (for one carbon), ethyl (for two carbons), and propyl (for three carbons), and follows.
If the substituent has more than six carbons, the alkane portion is first named, and then, the aromatic ring portion can be added as a suffix. For example, an aromatic ring, which is bonded to an 8-carbon chain, would be the 1-phenyloctane, but not octyl benzene.
Aromatic Compounds Having Multiple Substituents
When there exist multiple substituents, the ring atoms can be numbered to minimize the numbers that are assigned to the positions, which are substituted.
The disubstituted benzene rings are named according to the relative positions of the substituents: the ortho– prefix can be used when the substituents occupy the adjacent positions on the ring (1,2), meta– prefix can be used when the substituents are separated by one ring position (1,3), and finally, para– prefix can be used when they are found on the opposite sides of the ring (1,4).
FAQs on Substituted Benzene Compounds: Nomenclature
1. Give a key takeaway of aromatic compounds?
Aromatic compounds have either a benzene ring or certain benzene-like properties. But, for our purposes, we can recognize the aromatic compounds in the presence of either one or more benzene rings according to their structure.
2. List some important points on the nomenclature of substituted benzene compounds?
Let us look at the important points on the nomenclature of substituted benzene compounds.
The simple aromatic ring that contains six carbon atoms is called benzene.
All the other six-membered substituted structures can be considered as a derivative of benzene.
The benzene ring's six carbon atoms are given with the numbering from 1 to 6.
The position 1,4 is called a para position.
The position 2,6 is called the ortho position.
3. Give the summary on substituted benzene compounds.
Mono substituted benzene contains only one substituent, which is attached to the benzene ring.
While writing the mono substituted benzene's IUPAC name, the substituent name should be placed as a prefix to the word 'Benzene'.
For example, if the Nitro group (-NO2) is present on a Benzene ring, then its name will be given as Nitrobenzene.
4. Give the numbering of substituted benzene derivatives as per the IUPAC Nomenclature?
As per the lowest locant rule and IUPAC nomenclature of benzene derivatives, it is said that it should not be given the compound numbering like 1, starting from the carbon at the 4th position. Therefore we can give the IUPAC name as 1,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzene.
Whereas, for compound 2, they could have already prioritized the functional group, but, instead, they also have prioritized the lowest locant rule.
