benzylic position--reactivity

[thebillsfan]

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this question is three-fold:

1. kaplan told me that benzylic position is reactive especially for free radical reactions. is this common mcat knowledge?

2. i had no idea, and assumed that the ring itself would stabilize a radical better than the benzylic position would.
why, exactly is the benzylic position a better stabilizer than the ring itself?

3. are there other reactions in which the benzylic position is more reactive than the ring itself?

thanks

 

[RogueUnicorn]

you have a lot of questions. why don't you ask your kaplan instructor

 

[loveoforganic]

lots of hostility given this is an mcat q and a forum.

At any rate, benzylic position provides the ability for a radical electron or anion pair of electrons to resonate throughout the ring. It also allows the ring to stabilize a positive charge at that position.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

not being hostile, sorry if it came off that way. more of a helpful suggestion.

 

[thebillsfan]

not being hostile, sorry if it came off that way. more of a helpful suggestion.

not taking a kaplan class nor am around anyone else studying. this is, in fact, my only place to ask questions.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

this question is three-fold:

1. kaplan told me that benzylic position is reactive especially for free radical reactions. is this common mcat knowledge?

2. i had no idea, and assumed that the ring itself would stabilize a radical better than the benzylic position would.
why, exactly is the benzylic position a better stabilizer than the ring itself?

3. are there other reactions in which the benzylic position is more reactive than the ring itself?

thanks

i assumed this meant you were taking a class. my bad.