A-Level CAIE Chemistry A2 30.1.1—Chemistry of arenes Question Bank

• Describe the chemistry of arenes as exemplified by the following reactions of benzene and methylbenzene:

- (a) substitution reactions with Cl ₂ and with Br₂ with a catalyst, Al Cl ₃ or Al Br₃, to form halogenoarenes (aryl halides)

- (b) nitration with a mixture of conc. HNO₃ and conc. H₂SO₄ at a temperature between

- 25 °C and 60 °C

- (c) Friedel–Crafts alkylation by CH₃Cl and Al Cl ₃ and heat

- (d) Friedel–Crafts acylation by CH₃COCl and Al Cl ₃ and heat

- (e) complete oxidation of the side-chain using hot alkaline KMnO₄ and then dil. acid to give a benzoic acid

- (f) hydrogenation of the benzene ring using H₂ and Pt/Ni catalyst and heat to form a cyclohexane ring