Electrophilic Substitution in Naphthalene

Medium Organic Chemistry Aromatic Compounds

Aromatic compounds play a crucial role in organic chemistry due to their unique structural and electronic properties. Consider the compound naphthalene, which consists of two fused benzene rings. Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon widely known for its use in mothballs and as a precursor in organic synthesis.

When subjected to certain reactions, naphthalene can undergo electrophilic substitution, a characteristic behavior of aromatic compounds. In these reactions, an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on the aromatic ring, thus maintaining the resonance stability of the compound. Understanding the electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanisms and the directing effects of substituents on naphthalene is essential for predicting the outcomes of chemical reactions.

Which of the following statements regarding the electrophilic substitution of naphthalene is correct?

Naphthalene primarily reacts through nucleophilic substitution due to its electron-rich structure.

Naphthalene exhibits a higher reactivity towards electrophilic substitution compared to benzene.

Naphthalene has no directing effects when substituted, as it does not undergo electrophilic substitution.

Naphthalene can form only one type of product during electrophilic substitution due to its symmetry.

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