Why do aromatic compounds smell?
1 Answer
Nov 2, 2016
For the same reason that non-aromatic compounds smell.....
Explanation:
They have a vapour pressure under ambient conditions that means that sufficient molecules are in the vapour phase that your olfactory system can detect them.
Remember that the term "aromatic" was originally coined due to a perceived odour of the compounds in question, but for many years now the term has related to increased stability caused by certain types of electron delocalisation. Whilst it may be the case that some aromatic compounds have odours, there are many non-aromatic ones that can be detected by smell as well.
