How do you test for aromatic compounds?

1 Answer
Jul 30, 2016

#""^1H# #"NMR spectroscopy"# would probably be the best bet.

Explanation:

Aromatic protons, or at least aryl protons belonging to #C_6H_6# or #C_6H_5X# rings, etc. would probably be best identified by their #""^1H# #"NMR"# spectrum. These occur downfield at approx. #"7 ppm"#. The ring current of the conjugated #pi# electrons act to deshield exocyclic protons on the aromatic ring, hence the downfield absorption, far removed from aliphatic and vinyl absorptions.