The Benzene Fingers, Part II: Let Your Fingers Do the Walking Through the Benzene Fingers

With the theoretical background of benzene analysis laid out in part I of this series, we now know what fundamental, overtone, and combination bands look like. Here, we show that the benzene fingers are a series of overtone and combination bands that can be used to distinguish substituted benzene rings from each other when other methods do not work. We also review the benzene finger patterns for mono-, ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted benzene rings, and describe an easy mnemonic in which you use your fingers to help you remember the patterns.