Benzene is highly stable due to aromaticity, preferring substitution over addition. However, under e — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
Benzene is highly stable due to aromaticity, preferring substitution over addition. However, under extreme conditions, it can undergo addition reactions that destroy its aromatic ring. Which of the following reactions result in the loss of aromaticity?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Birch reduction adds hydrogens to form 1,4-cyclohexadiene. Catalytic hydrogenation fully saturates the ring to cyclohexane. Reaction with chlorine and UV light triggers radical addition, forming Benzene Hexachloride ($C_6H_6Cl_6$). All three of these break the continuous $\pi$ -system, destroying aromaticity. Friedel-Crafts alkylation is an electrophilic aromatic substitution, which restores the aromatic ring in its final step.