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Reactivity comparison of phenol and toluene towards electrophilic substitution
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Melanie Jiang
Reactivity comparison of phenol and toluene towards electrophilic substitution
You have to make a comparison between phenol and toluene. You have identified what toluene does, but you haven't described what phenol does.
The hydroxyl group in phenol increases electron density in the ring by resonance (+M effect). Note that the methyl group in toluene increases electron density only by hyperconjugation and inductive effect.
Resonance effects are generally far more superior to hyperconjugation. Hence, without doubt, phenol is more activated towards EAS as compared to toluene.
You have to make a comparison between phenol and toluene. You have identified what toluene does, but you haven't described what phenol does.
The hydroxyl group in phenol increases electron density in the ring by resonance (+M effect). Note that the methyl group in toluene increases electron density only by hyperconjugation and inductive effect.
Resonance effects are generally far more superior to hyperconjugation. Hence, without doubt, phenol is more activated towards EAS as compared to toluene.
@Rahul Resonance involves direct conjugation of an electron pair on an atom into the conjugated system. However, for hyperconjugation, you have to first break the C-H bond, and only then the lone pair on the carbon atom formed can resonate (Hyperconjugation is called "no bond resonance" if you recall) Hence, resonance activation of ring is better.More
You have to make a comparison between phenol and toluene. You have identified what toluene does, but you haven't described what phenol does.
The hydroxyl group in phenol increases electron density in the ring by resonance (+M effect). Note that the methyl group in toluene increases electron density only by hyperconjugation and inductive effect.
Resonance effects are generally far more superior to hyperconjugation. Hence, without doubt, phenol is more activated towards EAS as compared to toluene.
You have to make a comparison between phenol and toluene. You have identified what toluene does, but you haven't described what phenol does.
The hydroxyl group in phenol increases electron density in the ring by resonance (+M effect). Note that the methyl group in toluene increases electron density only by hyperconjugation and inductive effect.
Resonance effects are generally far more superior to hyperconjugation. Hence, without doubt, phenol is more activated towards EAS as compared to toluene.
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