Aromatic Hydrocarbon

Aromatic hydrocarbon

An aromatic hydrocarbon or arene is a hydrocarbon with sigma bonds (the strongest type of covalent chemical bond). The name  aromatic origionally comes from things like spices and herbs which have adistinct aroma. Later on we found out that these aromatic substances have a similar structure and similar chemical properties.

A simple aromatic hydrocarbon is benzene. It is chemical formula is C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of 6 carbon atoms joined in a ring with 1 hydrogen atom attached to each.

The 6 benzene carbons make up a special cycle. 2 out of 4 carbon atom electrones every atom uses to bond with the ones next to it. The 3rd electrone all carbons use to bond with a hydrogen and the 4th to make up a ringlike system.

Arenes are aromatic hydrocarbons that have one or more benzene rings in them.

Many of the aromatic hydrocarbons are cancerogenic

Aromatic hydrocarbon use

In the chemical industry benzene is a raw material that is used to make  many different aromatic compounds.

Toluene (methylbezene) is used to make paint, medicene and explosives. To make explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluol is used. It is called TNT.

Xylole isomer mixture is used as a solvent.

Naphtalene is used to make paint and solvent. It is also used to process fur. Naphtalene is also used as a mixture to kill moths.

Biphenyl is used as a heat transfer agent as a eutetic mixture with diphenylether

Picric acid is used in munitions and explosives, more powerful but less stable than the more common explosive, TNT.

Ethylbenzene is used in the process of making polysterene

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is used is a medication used to treat pain and fever

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is medication used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.

Phenol is used to synthesize plastics.

Aniline is used for rubber processing and making the blue jeans color.

1. Name at least one use of every Aromatic Hydrocarbon. (10 points)

  Toluene -

  Phenol -

  Naphtalene -

  Xylole -

  Picric acid -

  Acetaminophen (paracetamol) - 

  Biphenyl - 

  Ethylbenzene - 

  Aniline -

  Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) - 

2. What are arenes? (2, 5 points)

3. Whats the chemical formula of benzene? (2,5 points)

1. (10 points)

Toluene - paint, medicene, explosives

Phenol - plastics

Naphtalene - paint, solvent, processing fur

Xylole - solvent

Picric acid - munition and explosives

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) -  medication

Biphenyl - heat transfer agent,

Ethylbenzene - polysterene

Aniline - processing rubber, blue jean dye

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) - medication

2.(2,5 points)

Arenes are aromatic hydrocarbons that have one or more benzene rings in them.

3.(2,5 points)

The chemical formula for benzene is C6H6

Now you know a little more about aromatic hydrocarbons.

Thank you for taking this WebQuest!

Used sources: 

Ā. Kaksis, U. Bergmanis, V. Kakse "Ķīmija 11. klasei"