2021-12-11

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Chemistry in a Nutshell

The structure of benzene eluded early chemists for a long time. Can you figure it out using data from the 1800's?

This is part 1 of The Benzene Puzzle.

Part 2: /youtube/video/7k2FJPbtKJA

Part 3: /youtube/video/twvmHdplbFA

Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction

Pre-1865

0:31 Molecular Formula of C6H6 and 4 Degrees of Unsaturation

5:25 Unusual Stability

5:34 No Electrophilic Addition Reactions / No C=C

6:56 Substitution Products / Equivalent Hydrogens

8:02 Ethane & Propane Substitutions & Equivalent Hydrogens

The 1865 Challenge

9:54 Propose a Structure of Benzene Give Information Available in 1865

10:29 Answers from 1865

1865 - 1890

13:15 Kekulé's 1865 proposition that 2 different 1,2-disubstituted products are indistinguishable

*** Mistake: Kekulé never used his first given name (Friedrich); he was known throughout his life as August Kekulé.

13:31 Dewar and Ladenburg Structures

Citations:

Organic Chemistry, 8th ed. Bruice, Paula Yurkanis. 2016. Pearson. Chapter 8

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