Consider the molecule ethylbenzene, a common starting material for side-chain reactions. How many be — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

A benzylic hydrogen is a hydrogen atom attached directly to a benzylic carbon (the carbon atom immediately adjacent to an aromatic ring). In ethylbenzene ($C_6H_5-CH_2-CH_3$), the methylene group ($-CH_2-$) is the benzylic carbon. It bears exactly 2 hydrogen atoms. The terminal methyl group hydrogens are non-benzylic.