Over the years, the teaching of electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) in first year organic texts has evolved into a rather standardized presentation. We teach them about the sigma complex and categorize substituents as activators and deactivators as well as ortho-para directors and meta directors. This method leads to confusion for a number of reasons. Students have trouble with the shift in focus of the ortho-para positions in the sigma complex to the ortho-para positions of substituents. The term meta director leads to a misunderstanding of the causes for meta direction. The arbitrary use of benzene as the guidepost for determining an activator versus deactivator leads to the unnecessary complication of explaining the behavior of halogen substituents.<br/>We are proposing a paradigm shift in the way we teach EAS. This poster will describe a system in which we center our focus on the sigma complex, eliminate the terms activating and deactivating as well ortho-para directors and meta directors. We will replace them with a sliding scale of reactivity and terms that focus on substituents effects on the ortho-para positions.

Reimagining the teaching of electrophilic aromatic substitution: Paradigm shift

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.