There are several acceptable lUPAC names for many benzene compounds. Some lUPAC names are based upon widely used common names, such as toluene and aniline. Other compounds are named as derivatives of benzene or by designating the benzene ring as a phenyl group and using the prefix phenyl. There is no cis-trans isomerism in aromatics as there is in other ring compounds as the ring is perfectly flat with bond angles of 120 o . 1,4- para Properties and Uses of Aromatic Compounds.
Aromatic hydrocarbons are nonpolar and have physical properties similar to the alkanes and alkenes.
Benzene does not readily undergo addition reactions that are typical of alkenes. Benzene and toluene are key industrial chemicals. Other important aromatics include phenol, aniline, and styrene. Benzene is carcinogenic Heterocycles. A ring compound that contains at least one atom that is not carbon is known as a heterocycle.