Question:

Explain the fact that in aryl alkyl ethers

(i)the alkoxy group activates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution and 

(ii)it directs the incoming substituents to ortho and para positions in the benzene ring.

Updated On: Sep 28, 2023
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

(i)In aryl alkyl ethers, due to the +R effect of the alkoxy group, the electron density in the benzene ring increases as shown in the following resonance structure. Thus, benzene is activated towards electrophilic substitution by the alkoxy group.

(ii)It can also be observed from the resonance structures that the electron density increases more at the ortho and para positions than at the meta position. As a result, the incoming substituents are directed to the ortho and para positions in the benzene ring.

aryl alkyl ethers

Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top Questions on Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

View More Questions

Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam

View More Questions

Notes on Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

Concepts Used:

Classification - Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Alcohols, phenols, and ethers are organic compounds that can be classified based on their molecular structure and functional groups.

Classification of Alcohols:

  • Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group.
  • Primary alcohols have one alkyl group attached to the carbon, secondary alcohols have two, and tertiary alcohols have three.

Classification of Phenols:

  • Phenols can be classified based on the number and position of the hydroxyl groups attached to the aromatic ring.
  • Monohydroxy phenols have one hydroxyl group, while dihydroxy phenols have two.
  • Polyhydroxy phenols have more than two hydroxyl groups.
  • Resorcinol and catechol are examples of dihydroxy phenols, while tannins are examples of polyhydroxy phenols.

Classification of Ethers:

  • Ethers can be classified based on the nature of the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the oxygen atom.
  • Simple ethers have two alkyl or aryl groups, while mixed ethers have one alkyl and one aryl group.
  • Crown ethers are cyclic ethers that contain multiple ether groups and are used as complexing agents.

In summary, alcohols, phenols, and ethers can be classified based on their molecular structure and functional groups. Understanding the classification of these compounds is important for predicting their reactivity and understanding their potential applications in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and industry.