Equivalent Protons


There are four sets of equivalent protons in toluene. Before looking at the answer, see if you can identify them. They must be chemically identical. Hint: they are usually symmetrically located within the molecule.


Equivalent protons 1:


The first proton which is unique is the proton para or opposite the methyl group. There are no other protons in this kind of environment.

Equivalent Protons 2:


The meta protons, opposite one another (symmetrically) are exactly equivalent.

Equivalent protons 3:


The ortho protons, nearest the methyl group are equivalent.

Equivalent protons 4:


Finally, the methyl protons are all equivalent since a carbon-carbon single bond can freely rotate.