This page looks at the names of some simple aromatic compounds. An
aromatic compound is one which contains a benzene ring. It assumes that
you are reasonably confident about naming compounds containing chains
of carbon atoms (aliphatic compounds). | |
Note: If you aren't sure about naming aliphatic compounds follow this link before you go on. | |
Naming aromatic compounds isn't quite so straightforward as naming
chain compounds. Often, more than one name is acceptable and it's not
uncommon to find the old names still in use as well. Background The benzene ring All aromatic compounds are based on benzene, C6H6, which has a ring of six carbon atoms and has the symbol: | |
Note: If you don't understand this structure, it is explained in full in two pages on the structure of benzene elsewhere in this site. Following this link could well take you some time! | |
The phenyl group Remember that you get a methyl group, CH3, by removing a hydrogen from methane, CH4. You get a phenyl group, C6H5, by removing a hydrogen from a benzene ring, C6H6. Like a methyl or an ethyl group, a phenyl group is always attached to something else. Aromatic compounds with only one group attached to the benzene ring Cases where the name is based on benzene chlorobenzene This is a simple example of a halogen attached to the benzene ring. The name is self-obvious. nitrobenzene The nitro group, NO2, is attached to a benzene ring. methylbenzene Another obvious name - the benzene ring has a methyl group attached. Other alkyl side-chains would be named similarly - for example, ethylbenzene. The old name for methylbenzene is toluene, and you may still meet that. (chloromethyl)benzene A variant on this which you may need to know about is where one of the hydrogens on the CH3 group is replaced by a chlorine atom. Notice the brackets around the (chloromethyl) in the name. This is so that you are sure that the chlorine is part of the methyl group and not somewhere else on the ring. benzoic acid (benzenecarboxylic acid) Benzoic acid is the older name, but is still in common use - it's a lot easier to say and write than the modern alternative! Whatever you call it, it has a carboxylic acid group, -COOH, attached to the benzene ring. Remember that the phenyl group is a benzene ring minus a hydrogen atom - C6H5. If you draw a benzene ring with one group attached, you have drawn a phenyl group. phenylamine Phenylamine is a primary amine and contains the -NH2 group attached to a benzene ring. | |
Note: In all cases where there is some possibility of alternative names, you need to know what your examiners are likely to call a particular compound. Refer to your syllabus and recent exam papers. If you are working to a UK-based syllabus for 16 - 8 year olds, and haven't got these, follow this link to find out how to get hold of them. | |
phenylethene This is an ethene molecule with a phenyl group attached. Ethene is a two carbon chain with a carbon-carbon double bond. Phenylethene is therefore: phenylethanone This is a slightly awkward name - take it to pieces. It consists of a two carbon chain with no carbon-carbon double bond. The one ending shows that it is a ketone, and so has a C=O group somewhere in the middle. Attached to the carbon chain is a phenyl group. Putting that together gives: This is an ester based on ethanoic acid. The hydrogen atom in the -COOH group has been replaced by a phenyl group. | |
Note: If you aren't happy about naming esters, follow this link before you go on. | |
phenol Phenol has an -OH group attached to a benzene ring and so has a formula C6H5OH. Any group already attached to the ring is given the number 1 position. Where you draw it on the ring (at the top or in any other position) doesn't matter - that's just a question of rotating the molecule a bit. It's much easier, though, to get in the habit of drawing your main group at the top. The other ring positions are then numbered from 2 to 6. You can number them either clockwise or anti-clockwise. As with chain compounds, you number the ring so that the name you end up with has the smallest possible numbers in it. Examples will make this clear. Some simple examples Substituting chlorine atoms on the ring Look at these compounds: Why is it 2-chloromethylbenzene rather than 6-chloromethylbenzene? The ring is numbered clockwise in this case because that produces a 2- in the name rather than a 6-. 2 is smaller than 6 |
Monday, 29 April 2013
THE NAMES OF AROMATIC COMPOUNDS
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