(A) Arene compounds (aromatic hydrocarbons) primarily undergo electrophilic substitution reactions due to their stable aromatic ring. They can also undergo addition and oxidation reactions under specific conditions.
$A$. Electrophilic substitution reactions: These are the characteristic reactions of benzene.
$i$. Nitration: Benzene reacts with a nitrating mixture (conc. $HNO_{3}$ + conc. $H_{2}SO_{4}$) at $323-333 \ K$ to form nitrobenzene.
$ii$. Sulphonation: Benzene reacts with fuming $H_{2}SO_{4}$ (oleum) at $353 \ K$ to form benzene sulphonic acid.
$iii$. Halogenation: Benzene reacts with $Cl_{2}$ or $Br_{2}$ in the presence of a Lewis acid (e.g.,anhydrous $FeCl_{3}$ or $FeBr_{3}$) to form chlorobenzene or bromobenzene.
$iv$. Friedel-Crafts alkylation: Benzene reacts with alkyl halides $(R-X)$ in the presence of anhydrous $AlCl_{3}$ to form alkylbenzene.
$v$. Friedel-Crafts acylation: Benzene reacts with acyl halides $(RCOCl)$ or acid anhydrides in the presence of anhydrous $AlCl_{3}$ to form acylbenzene.
$B$. Electrophilic addition reactions: These occur under vigorous conditions.
$i$. Hydrogenation: Benzene reacts with $H_{2}$ at high temperature and pressure in the presence of $Ni$ catalyst to form cyclohexane.
$ii$. Chlorination: Benzene reacts with $Cl_{2}$ in the presence of $UV$ light to form benzene hexachloride $(C_{6}H_{6}Cl_{6})$.
$C$. Oxidation reactions:
$i$. Combustion: Arenes burn in air to produce $CO_{2}$ and $H_{2}O$ according to the general equation: $C_{x}H_{y} + (x + \frac{y}{4}) O_{2} \longrightarrow x CO_{2} + \frac{y}{2} H_{2}O$.