AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Benzene, toluene, xylenes (BTX), and ethylbenzene are the aromatic hydrocarbons with a widespread use as petrochemicals. They are important precursors for many commercial chemicals and polymers such as phenol, trinitrotoluene (TNT), nylons, and plastics. Aromatic compounds are characterized by having a stable ring structure due to the overlap of the π-orbitals (resonance).

Accordingly, they do not easily add to reagents such as halogens and acids as do alkenes. Aromatic hydrocarbons are susceptible, however, to electrophilic substitution reactions in presence of a catalyst.

Aromatic hydrocarbons are generally nonpolar. They are not soluble in water, but they dissolve in organic solvents such as hexane, diethyl ether,  and carbon tetrachloride.