oxoarene

Oxoarene is a nonstandard term encountered in some chemical writings to describe an arene bearing an oxo substituent, i.e., a carbonyl group directly attached to an aromatic ring. Because it is not a widely adopted IUPAC name, its meaning can vary between sources, and precise terminology is usually preferred.

Most commonly, oxoarene is used to refer to aryl carbonyl compounds—aryl aldehydes and aryl ketones—where the carbonyl carbon is bonded to an aryl group. In this interpretation, benzaldehyde (an aryl aldehyde) and acetophenone or benzophenone (aryl ketones) would be considered oxoarenes. The term has also appeared in older or nonstandard literature to denote arene oxides or certain benzannulated lactones, but such usages are rare and not part of contemporary practice.

Chemically, oxoarenes exhibit the reactivity characteristic of carbonyl-containing aromatic compounds. The oxo group influences electrophilicity and directs reactions such as nucleophilic additions to aldehydes and ketones or acyl substitutions in appropriate contexts. Infrared spectroscopy typically shows a strong carbonyl stretch, with exact wavenumbers depending on the specific functional group and conjugation.

Synthesis and applications of aryl carbonyl compounds are well described under the standard headings of aryl aldehydes and aryl ketones. They are widely used across organic synthesis, flavor and fragrance industries, dyes, polymers, and pharmaceuticals, either as substrates or as intermediates.

Because oxoarene is not a standard term, researchers are advised to use explicit designations such as aryl aldehyde or aryl ketone when clarity is required. See also: aryl aldehydes, aryl ketones, carbonyl compounds.