Arenes

Conditions for the halogenation of an arene

X2 with an AlX3 catalyst

Conditions for the nitration of an arene

A mixture of concentrated H2SO4 and concentrated HNO3 and heat

Conditions for Friedel-Crafts alkylation

Halogenoalkane and anyhdrous AlCl3 catalyst

Conditions for Friedel-Crafts acylation

Acyl chlorides and anhydrous AlCl3 catalyst

Conditions for complete oxidation

Hot, alkaline KMnO4 and then dilute acid

Conditions for Hydrogenation

Heating with hydrogen and Pt/Ni catalyst

Product of the halogenation of benzene

aryl halide

Products of the halogenation of alkylbenzene

aryl halide + hydrogen halide

Product of nitration of benzene

nitroarene

Products of nitration of alkylbenzene 

nitroarene and water

Products of Friedel-Crafts alkylation

alkylbenzene

Products of Friedel-Crafts acylation

acylbenzene

Products of Complete oxidation of benzene

Benzoic acid and water

Products of Hydrogenation

Cyclohexane

Why are aryl halides less reactive than halogenoalkanes

Aryl halides are less reactive than halogenoalkanes because the carbon-halogen bond in aryl halides is stronger. This is due to the partial overlap of the lone pairs on the halogen atom with the pi bonding system in the benzene ring - the carbon-halogen bond has a partial double bond character.

What conditions will cause the halogenation of an alkylarene in the aromatic ring?

Anhydrous halogen carrier catalyst (AlBr3/AlCl3)

What conditions will cause the halogenation of an alkylarene in the side chain?

Boiling the alkylarene in the presence of UV light and the halogen.

What conditions will cause the halogenation of an alkylarene in the side chain where all of the hydrogen atoms on the alkyl side chain have been substituted?

Boiling the alkylarene with excess halogen and in the presence of UV light.

How do electron withdrawing substituents direct electrophiles

Electrophile withdrawing substituents will remove electrons from the pi bonding system on the benzene ring, making the arene less reactive; therefore deactivating the attack and directing the electrophile to positions 3 or 5.

How do electron donating substituents direct electrophiles?

Electron donating substituents will donate electrons to the pi bonding system on the benzene ring, making the arene more reactive; therefore activating the attack and directing the electrophile to positions 2, 4 or 6.