Chapter 18.14, Problem 34CC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The synthesis of anisole has to be illustrated using benzene as the starting compound.

Concept Introduction:

• Benzene is a stable aromatic compound and it is the simplest form of the aromatic compounds. It is a very versatile compound that it furnishes various products with various reagents.

• The most common type of reactions that benzene undergoes is electrophilic substitution reactions.

• The various types of electrophilic substitution reactions in benzene are – Chlorination, Bromination, Nitration, Sulfonation, Friedel Crafts Alkylation/Acylation etc.

• So it is clear benzene can be converted to various range of compounds with appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. One of the useful method one can adapt to introduce any kind of group or atom onto the benzene ring is electrophilic substitution reaction.

• Aromatic compounds undergo another type of reactions called elimination – addition reaction. A compound with leaving group when treated with a strong base under high or low temperature undergoes elimination – addition reaction where the leaving group is eliminated and a new group is added. Halogens are known to be best leaving groups.