The simplest, yet the most important compound in this class of organic compounds is benzene itself.

"Aromatic" was originally used to describe these compounds since many have pleasant smells.  To the chemist, the word aromatic also carries with it stability and reactivity implications.

The unusual stability of benzene compared to closely related alkenes is what makes it important and gives benzene it's own set of characteristic reactions.

Reactions of benzenes are often quite recognizable from other systems by the forcing reaction conditions that are often required.
 

Benzenes and Substituted Benzenes

• Nomenclature
• Physical Properties
• Structure
• Stability
• Reactivity

• What is it ?
• Criteria
• Resonance energy
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
• Heteroaromatics
• Other hydrocarbon systems
• Implications

• Benzylic systems
• Reactions of the benzylic position

• Self Assessment

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