Benzene and its Homologues

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the structural aspects of aromaticity, homoaromaticity, and anti-aromaticity of benzenoid and nonbenzenoid systems. The reactivity of benzene is dominated by substitution reactions. Electrophilic behavior remains the predominant mechanism for substitution but the use of organometallic reagents and catalysts has animated developments in nucleophilic and homolytic processes also. The involvement of single electron transfer (SET) has been identified in both electrophilic and nucleophilic substitutions. The stability of the benzene ring dictates the course of many reactions but under photochemical conditions, particularly useful and interesting transformations are possible. Many photochemical reactions are explained in this chapter. The properties of the benzene ring and some related structures are also discussed.