Benzene and Its Derivatives - What Is the Benzylic Position, and How Does It Contribute to Benzene Reactivity?

4 important questions on Benzene and Its Derivatives - What Is the Benzylic Position, and How Does It Contribute to Benzene Reactivity?

What is meant with a benzylic carbon?

A benzylic carbon is an sp3 hybridized carbon bonded to the benzene ring.

What happens when toluene is treated with an oxidizing agent like H2CrO4?

The benzene ring will be unaffected, but the methyl group is oxidized to a carboxyl group.

What happens when 2-chloro-4-nitrotoluene is treated with H2CrO4?

The methyl group will be oxidized, but the nitro and chloro groups remain unaffected.
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What can be concluded from the observation that tert-butylbenzene is not affected by H2CrO4?

We can conclude that a benzylic carbon can only be oxidized when a benzylic hydrogen is present.

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