The benzene ring alters the reactivity of a neighboring group in the benzylic position much as a double bond alters the reactivity of groups in the allylic position.

Benzylic cations, anions, and radicals are all more stable than simple alkyl intermediates.
c. Which of the following reactions will have the faster rate and give the better yield? Use a drawing of the transition state to explain your answer.

Before spectroscopy was invented, Körner’s absolute method was used to determine whether a disubstituted benzene derivative was the ortho, meta, or para isomer. Körner’s method involves adding a third group (often a nitro group) and determining how many isomers are formed. For example, when o-xylene is nitrated (by a method shown in Chapter 17), two isomers are formed.

a. How many isomers are formed by nitration of m-xylene?

The benzene ring alters the reactivity of a neighboring group in the benzylic position much as a double bond alters the reactivity of groups in the allylic position.

Benzylic cations, anions, and radicals are all more stable than simple alkyl intermediates.

b. Toluene reacts with bromine in the presence of light to give benzyl bromide. Propose a mechanism for this reaction.

The benzene ring alters the reactivity of a neighboring group in the benzylic position much as a double bond alters the reactivity of groups in the allylic position.

Benzylic cations, anions, and radicals are all more stable than simple alkyl intermediates.

a. Use resonance forms to show the delocalization (over four carbon atoms) of the unpaired electron of the benzyl radical.

The benzene ring alters the reactivity of a neighboring group in the benzylic position much as a double bond alters the reactivity of groups in the allylic position.

Benzylic cations, anions, and radicals are all more stable than simple alkyl intermediates.

a. Use resonance forms to show the delocalization (over four carbon atoms) of the positive charge of the benzyl cation.

Before spectroscopy was invented, Körner’s absolute method was used to determine whether a disubstituted benzene derivative was the ortho, meta, or para isomer. Körner’s method involves adding a third group (often a nitro group) and determining how many isomers are formed. For example, when o-xylene is nitrated (by a method shown in Chapter 17), two isomers are formed.

c. A turn-of-the-century chemist isolated an aromatic compound of molecular formula C₆H₄Br₂. He carefully nitrated this compound and purified three isomers of formula C₆H₃Br₂NO₂. Propose structures for the original compound and the three nitrated derivatives

Before spectroscopy was invented, Körner’s absolute method was used to determine whether a disubstituted benzene derivative was the ortho, meta, or para isomer. Körner’s method involves adding a third group (often a nitro group) and determining how many isomers are formed. For example, when o-xylene is nitrated (by a method shown in Chapter 17), two isomers are formed.

b. How many isomers are formed by nitration of p-xylene?