🥼organic chemistry review

Benzylic

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A benzylic position in organic chemistry refers to the location of a carbon atom directly attached to a benzene ring. In the context of SN1 reactions, a benzylic halide often exhibits high reactivity due to the stabilization of the carbocation intermediate by the aromatic ring.