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.

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

For each NMR spectrum, propose a structure consistent with the spectrum and the additional information provided.

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a. Elemental analysis shows the molecular formula to be C₈H₇OCl. The IR spectrum shows a moderate absorption at 1602 cm^–1 and a strong absorption at 1690 cm^–1.

b. The mass spectrum shows a double molecular ion of ratio 1:1 at m/z 184 and 186.

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Biphenyl has the following structure.

a. Is biphenyl a (fused) polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon?

b. How many pi electrons are there in the two aromatic rings of biphenyl? How does this number compare with that for naphthalene?

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.

Recall (Section 16-10) that two positions of anthracene sometimes react more like polyenes than like aromatic compounds.

b. The Diels–Alder reaction of anthracene with maleic anhydride is a common organic lab experiment. Predict the product of this Diels–Alder reaction.

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?