The key difference between homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds is that the homonuclear aromatic compounds contain atoms of the same chemical elements in the ring structure whereas the heteronuclear aromatic compounds contain atoms of different chemical elements in the ring structure.
Homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds are organic compounds containing ring structures. And, these ring structures contain either identical atoms or different atoms. Therefore, they have different chemical and physical properties depending on the type of atoms in the ring structures.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Homonuclear Aromatic Compounds
3. What are Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds
4. Side by Side Comparison – Homonuclear vs Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What are Homonuclear Aromatic Compounds?
Homonuclear aromatic compounds are substances composed of atoms of the same chemical element bonded to each other via covalent bonds to form a ring structure. Most homonuclear aromatic compounds contain carbon atoms that make up the ring. There are either single or double bonds between these atoms, and there can be hydrogen or other atoms (or group of atoms) attached to these carbon atoms as pendant groups.
Figure 1: Benzene is a Homonuclear Aromatic Compound
Benzene is a common homonuclear aromatic compound which has six carbon atoms in a ring attached through alternating single and double bonds between them. In addition, these compounds fulfil the requirements of an aromatic structure; they contain a conjugated pi-electron system, planar, electron delocalization, alternating single and double bonds, etc.
What are Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds?
Heteronuclear aromatic compounds are substances composed of atoms of different chemical elements bonded to each other via covalent bonds to form a ring structure. As for a requirement to be an aromatic compound, heteronuclear aromatic compounds contain pi-electron system, alternating single and double bonds, delocalized electron system, etc.
Figure 2: Furan contains Carbon Atoms and an Oxygen Atom in the Ring Structure
Generally, these compounds contain mainly carbon atoms along with other atoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. For example, pyridine has a structure that is similar to benzene, but there is a nitrogen atom instead of a carbon atom in the ring structure. Similarly, furan has four carbon atoms and an oxygen atom, making up its ring structure.
What is the Difference Between Homonuclear and Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds?
Homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds are organic compounds containing ring structures. The key difference between homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds is that the homonuclear aromatic compounds are composed of atoms of the same chemical element bonded to each other via covalent bonds to form a ring structure whereas the heteronuclear aromatic compounds contain atoms of different chemical elements in the ring structure.
Moreover, the homonuclear aromatic compounds contain nonpolar chemical bonds while the heteronuclear aromatic compounds contain both polar and nonpolar chemical bonds. Benzene is an example of a homonuclear aromatic compound while pyridine and furan are examples of heteronuclear aromatic compounds.
The following table summarizes the difference between homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds.
Summary – Homonuclear vs Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds
Homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds are organic compounds containing ring structures. These ring structures contain either identical atoms or different atoms. In summary, the key difference between homonuclear and heteronuclear aromatic compounds is that the homonuclear aromatic compounds contain atoms of the same chemical elements in the ring structure whereas the heteronuclear aromatic compounds contain atoms of different chemical elements in the ring structure.
Reference:
1. “Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds”. Cliffnotes.com, 2020, Available here.
2. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “What Is a Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon?” ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Benzene Structural diagram” By Vladsinger – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Furan-2D-full” By Jynto – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia