Chapter 12 :  Reactions of Arenes. Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution

Reactions of Aromatic substituents

Certain aromatic substituents undergo reactions that allow the substituent to be modified.  In particular review the reactions of the benzylic position.  A preview of the sequence by which an aromatic nitro group is first reduced to the amine then converted to the diazonium salt (which has an excellent leaving group, N₂ gas) which in turn can undergo a variety of substitutions is provided for completeness.

• Reactions of benzylic positions  (see Chapter 11)

Radical halogenation
Oxidation
Substitution
Elimination
Addition

• Reactions of Phenols (see Chapter 24)

Synthesis of aryl ethers

• Reactions of Aryl halides (see Chapter 23)

Aryl Grignard reagents

• Reactions of Diazonium salts obtained from Nitro substituents (see Chapter 22)