Print
THEORY OF BENZENE
Hits: 2209

The Birch reduction uses sodium or lithium in solution as reagents, its mechanism is radical and reduces benzene to 1,4-cyclohexadiene.

birch reduction 01

 

Birch with activating substituents

The double bonds of the final cyclohexadiene lie close to the substituents that activate the ring.
birch reduction 02
 
Birch with deactivating substituents
The double bonds of the final cyclohexadiene lie away from the substituents that deactivate the ring.
birch reduction 03
 
Birch mechanism
Birch is a reaction that occurs with the formation of an anion-radical.
 
birch reduction 04