Which of the following organic compounds can undergo both addition and substitution reactions?
Answer Details
Benzene is the organic compound that can undergo both addition and substitution reactions.
Benzene is an aromatic compound with a unique structure that includes a ring of six carbon atoms, each of which is bonded to a hydrogen atom. The electrons in the carbon-carbon double bonds are delocalized, making the molecule more stable and less reactive than typical alkenes. However, the delocalized electrons can still participate in reactions, including addition and substitution.
Addition reactions involve the breaking of a double or triple bond and the addition of new atoms or groups of atoms. Because benzene already has delocalized double bonds, it can undergo addition reactions such as hydrogenation and halogenation, in which hydrogen or a halogen is added to the ring.
Substitution reactions involve the replacement of one atom or group of atoms with another atom or group of atoms. Benzene is particularly prone to substitution reactions because the delocalized electrons in the ring make it more susceptible to attacks by electrophiles, which are electron-deficient species that can accept a pair of electrons. Substitution reactions include nitration, sulfonation, and halogenation.