Describe the products of the following Friedl-Crafts substitution and explain the role of the AlCl3 in the reaction: C6H6 + CH3C(O)Cl + AlCl3 = ?

C6H6 + CH3C(O)Cl = C6H5C(O)CH3 + HCl

This is an example of an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, with the product being a ketone. The AlCl3 serves as a catalyst, converting the acyl chloride into a stronger electrophile to encourage attack by the relatively weakly nucleophilic benzene.

AlCl3 is electron-deficient so can act as a Lewis acid and accept a pair of electrons from the acyl chloride.

CH3C(O)Cl + AlCl3 = CH3C+(O) + Al-Cl4 

The CH3C+(O) now has a stronger delta + than the acyl chloride, activating it towards electrophilic substitution by the benzene.

The AlCl3 regenerated at the end of the reaction.

Answered by Thomas H. Chemistry tutor

11023 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Define relative atomic mass.


How many peaks would you expect from a Hydrogen NMR of Ethane?


Why does the first ionisation energy of atoms generally increase across a period?


A chemist synthesised two solutions A and B, they know one solution is an aldehyde and the other a ketone. Suggest how the chemist could identify which is which and describe any observations they would make


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences