LESSON 3: UNSATURATED

HYDROCARBONS
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
 Structures and Physical Properties
 Nomenclature

Learning outcomes:
 describe the physical properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbon
 draw the structures and write the names common
aromatic hydrocarbons; and
 know the several biological, medical and environmental
significance of aromatic hydrocarbons

No. of Hours to complete : 3 hours

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 ENABLING ACTIVITY

Title : Question and Answer

Time : 15 Minutes
Materials: Worksheet and pen

Directions: Answers the following questions below.

1. Define what is Aromatic Hydrocarbon

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
.
2. Draw the Structural Properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbon.

3. Give at least 4 compounds of aromatic hydrocarbons and its uses.

1. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. Draw and write the I.U.P.A.C. Nomenclature of one example of aromatic compounds
hydrocarbons.

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Topic Discussion:

Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Based on the number and type of substitution of the ring the Aromatic compounds are
named. Cyclic hydrocarbons with delocalized pi electrons between carbon atoms of the ring are
defined as Aromatic Hydrocarbons.  The phenomenon has aromatic nature that is
called aromaticity. Benzene is the simplest aromatic compound. They are famous and well
known for their strong, pungent aromas.

Structure of Benzene

Properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

 Properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbons include that their major sources are Petroleum

and coal. They are well known for their exceptional physical and chemical properties.
Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons are defined as aromatic compounds with more than one
benzene. When they include in atmospheric pollution then it is known as carcinogenic
in nature.

 Aromatic compounds also include amino acids and precursors to nucleotides. Which

are soluble in water they are known as non-polar hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons
cannot form ions or H-bonds with water molecules. They are usually unreactive
because of extra stability and for many organic and inorganic reactions it is widely used
as an inert solvent.

 The ratio for carbon-hydrogen is high. They born with sooty yellow flame because of
the presence of high carbon content.

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  They go through electrophilic substitution reactions and nucleophile aromatic
substitution.

 Hydrocarbons which have multiple bonds are unsaturated in nature like alkenes and
alkynes. They tend to give addition reactions due to this unsaturation.

 Due to resonance and give characteristic electrophilic substitution reactions aromatic

hydrocarbons are stable. The carbon ring acts as a nucleophile in these reactions and to
form a substituted product an electrophile attack on benzene.

 With the coming electrophile, one of the H-atom of a ring is substituted because of this
the product also holds its stability and aromatic in nature. On the opposite side in the
addition reactions, aromatic compound may lose their aromaticity so they do not prefer
to give such reactions.

Uses of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

 In several industries, aromatic hydrocarbons have wide applications. For example, for
model glues, toluene is used as solvent while Naphthalene is used as mothballs.

 For manufacturing of dyes, explosives, and drugs, Phenanthrene is an

intermediate product which has a different synthetic process.

 Trinitrotoluene (TNT) or 2, 4, 6 trinitrotoluene is an important aromatic compound

which is mainly used as explosive along with the preparation of explosive.

 1, 2 benzenediols or pyrocatechol is advertised as catechol which is one of the most

important components of a photographic developer.

 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) used as food flavorings and fragrances

 DDT - used as insecticide

 Benzopyrene - found in tobacco smoke, smokestack effluents, charcoal grilled meat,

and automobile exhaust. It is one of known strongest carcinogen that cause cancer

Nomenclature of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

IUPAC System

Rule 1: As per IUPAC nomenclature system, it is important to place the substituent’s name
before the name of the compound as a prefix in any substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.
For example, nitrobenzene where the benzene ring is present along with a nitro group.

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Rule 2: You have to attach Greek numerical prefixes such as di, tri, and tetra to indicate similar
substituents group in case of compounds with more than one substituent group
present in the benzene ring. For instance, a benzene ring with two bromo groups
present on the adjacent carbon atoms of the benzene ring refers to as 1,2-di-
bromobenzene.

Rule 3: If different substituent groups are present in the aromatic compounds, it is important to
assign number one position to the substituent of the base. Furthermore, the
numbering direction for the rest of the compound is chosen in such a manner that the
next substituent will have the lowest numbering position. Moreover, we have to use
alphabetical order for the naming of the substituent. For example, if a benzene
consists of chloro group as well as a nitro group, then we start with the chloro group
and then the nitro groups on the basis of the alphabetical order.

Rule 4: In case of aromatic compounds with more than one substituents, it is necessary to use
terms such as ortho, meta, and para as prefixes to represent the relative positions like
1,2-; 1,3-; 1,4-. For instance, we can rewrite 1,2 di-bromo-benzene as o-di-bromo-
benzene.

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 ortho (o)- If the groups or atoms are located on two adjacent carbons.
meta (m) -If they are on carbons separated by one carbon atoms
para (p) -if the substituents are on carbons separated by two carbon atoms

Rule 5: If an organic compound consists of an alkane with a functional group and aromatic
compound, then the aromatic compound will act as a substituent instead of the parent
group. For instance, when there is a benzene ring joined with an alkane and a
functional group, then the aromatic group is known as phenyl (Ph-).

Other members of benzene derivatives:

CH3 OH NH3 OCH3

Toluene Phenol Aniline Anisole

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 MAIN TASK 1
Title : Naming Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Time : 15 Minutes
Materials : Worksheet and pen

Direction: Draw the Structural and Line formula of the following compounds.
Compounds Structural Formula Line Formula
1.Bromobenzene

2. 1-4-Dibrombenzene

3. Methylbenzene

4. 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene

5. 2-4- Dichloromethylbenzene

6.1-bromo-4-methylbenzene

MAIN TASK 2
Title : Naming Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Time : 15 Minutes
Materials : Worksheet and pen
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 Direction: Write the I.U.P.A.C Nomenclature and common name.
Indicate the greek name ( (p) para, ( Ó) ortho or (m) meta) of the following compounds.
Write your answers in the space provided.
Compounds I.U.P.A.C. NAME
And Common Name
1. Cl
a. ______________________________
Cl b. ______________________________

2. Br
a. ______________________________
b. ______________________________
Br

3.

a. ______________________________
NO2 NO2 b. ______________________________

4.

a. ______________________________
OH

5. CH3

a. ______________________________
CH3 CH3

MAIN TASK 3
Title : Brainstorming Activity
Time : 15 Minutes
Materials: Worksheet and pen

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 Direction: Fill in the blank with the correct answer. Write your answer in the space provided.

___________________1. Draw the structure of aromatic hydrocarbon.

___________________2. It consist of six carbons with double bonds alternating around the
ring

___________________3. If the groups or carbon atoms are located on two adjacent carbons
Is referred to what?

___________________4. if the substituents are on carbons separated by two carbon atoms

___________________5. If the group or carbon atoms is separated by one carbon atoms.

___________________6. The family of aromatic hydrocarbons that have toxic effect is called?

___________________7. The family of aromatic hydrocarbons which is used as food

flavorings and fragrances due to its pleasant aromas.

___________________8.An aromatic compounds that is found in tobacco smoke and

charcoal-grilled meat which is the source of carcinogens.

___________________9. A compound which is one of the most important components of a

photographic developer.

___________________10.A compound used in the manufacturing of dyes, explosive and drugs.

REINFORCEMENT
 What is alcohol?

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  Names several important alcohols, its uses and harmful effects
 What are the classification of alcohol?

REFERENCES

Katherine Denniston, et als., 2004. General, Organic, and Biochemistry. 4th

Edition, Mc GrawHill Companies.

Nomenclature and Preparation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

https://www.toppr.com/guides/chemistry/hydrocarbons/nomenclature-and-
preparation-of-aromatic-hydrocarbons/

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