Question

Which of the following statements is correct concerning the class of reactions to be expected for benzene and cyclooctatetraene?

A) Both substances undergo addition reactions.
B) Both substances undergo substitution reactions.
C) Benzene undergoes addition; cyclooctatetraene undergoes substitution.
D) Benzene undergoes substitution; cyclooctatetraene undergoes addition.

Answer 1

Both substances undergo substitution reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let us go back to the idea of aromaticity. Aromatic substances are said to possess (4n + 2) π electrons according to Huckel rule.

Aromatic substances are unusually stable and the aromatic ring can not be destroyed by addition reactions.

Since both benzene and cyclooctatetraene are both aromatic, they do not undergo addition reactions whereby the aromatic ring is destroyed. They both undergo substitution reaction in which the aromatic ring is maintained.