Home / Synthesis (7): Reaction Map of Benzene and Related Aromatic Compounds
Reactions of Aromatic Molecules
Synthesis (7): Reaction Map of Benzene and Related Aromatic Compounds
Last updated: May 28th, 2026 |
Reactions of Benzene and Aromatic Compounds: A Reaction Map (PDF)
Let’s map out all of the reactions we’ve learned in this section on aromatic rings + substituents. The list comes to about 25, including
- the six key electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions,
- the Wolff-Kishner and Clemmensen reductions of ketones
- reduction of nitro groups, the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, and protection of amines
- sidechain oxidation
- desulfonylation
Also included is a few reactions we actually haven’t covered yet – such as diazonium salt formation and Sandmeyer reactions. These are often covered in the chapter on amines, but they’re going in here regardless because they certainly can come in handy.
After studying this, you can Quiz Yourself!
(Not included are the Heck, Suzuki and other cross-coupling reactions, which you can read about here.)
File: (PNG)
Alternatively: (PDF)
The map also makes reference to a previous sheet on alkyl halides:
Synthesis (3): Reactions of Alkyl Halides
The previous post in this series of Reaction Maps, on alcohols:
Synthesis (6): Reactions of Alcohols
For a much larger set of reaction maps covering all of Org 1 and Org 2, check out the Reaction Maps PDF available in the MOC Store.
Quiz Yourself!
Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.
Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.
Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.
Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.
Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.
‘,’Synthesis (7): Reaction Map of Benzene and Related Aromatic Compounds
00 General Chemistry Review
01 Bonding, Structure, and Resonance
02 Acid Base Reactions
03 Alkanes and Nomenclature
04 Conformations and Cycloalkanes
05 A Primer On Organic Reactions
06 Free Radical Reactions
07 Stereochemistry and Chirality
08 Substitution Reactions
09 Elimination Reactions
10 Rearrangements
11 SN1/SN2/E1/E2 Decision
12 Alkene Reactions
13 Alkyne Reactions
14 Alcohols, Epoxides and Ethers
15 Organometallics
16 Spectroscopy
17 Dienes and MO Theory
18 Aromaticity
19 Reactions of Aromatic Molecules
- Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Introduction
- Activating and Deactivating Groups In Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
- Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: The Mechanism
- Ortho-, Para- and Meta- Directors in Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
- Understanding Ortho, Para, and Meta Directors
- Why are halogens ortho- para- directors?
- Disubstituted Benzenes: The Strongest Electron-Donor "Wins"
- Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions (1): Halogenation of Benzene
- Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions (2): Nitration and Sulfonation
- EAS Reactions (3: Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Friedel-Crafts Alkylation
- Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Reactions
- Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (NAS)
- Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (2) - The Benzyne Mechanism
- Reactions on the Benzylic Carbon: Bromination And Oxidation
- The Wolff-Kishner, Clemmensen, And Other Carbonyl Reductions
- More Reactions on the Aromatic Sidechain: Reduction of Nitro Groups and the Baeyer Villiger
- Aromatic Synthesis (1): Order Of Operations
- Synthesis of Benzene Derivatives (2): Polarity Reversal
- Aromatic Synthesis (3): Sulfonyl Blocking Groups
- Birch Reduction
- Synthesis (7): Reaction Map of Benzene and Related Aromatic Compounds
- Aromatic Reactions and Synthesis Practice
- Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Practice Problems
Very good thank you for making it free
I think finding about you guys is the best thing that has happened to me
I have the MOC membership. One of the main reasons I bought it is for reaction maps. But apart from the free ones, I can’t seem to find many for other organic functional groups like amines or carboxylic acids. Where can I find more reaction maps, or even the “Reactions Aldehydes and Ketones”-style type maps. Help would be much appreciated
Maps are very useful thank you for this best notes
Hello! First time visiting. The notes are beautifully organized, the reactions are beautifully depicted, and the site itself is also well organized! Thanks for offering free PDFs for studying. Have a great day. <3
Glad to hear it, Cat. Thanks for visiting!
Thank you for this summary!
I’m currently brushing up on my last years organic chemistry lectures.
I’ve found a mistake – the Link for Synthesis(6) should tell “Reactions of Alcohols”.
Oh thank you for spotting that! Fixed