Which of the following reagent can be used to convert benzene diazoniu...
Conversion of Benzene Diazonium Chloride to Benzene
To convert benzene diazonium chloride (C₆H₅N₂Cl) into benzene (C₆H₆), we need to choose the appropriate reagent. Among the given options, the correct reagent for this conversion is H₃PO₂ (hypophosphorous acid).
Here is the detailed explanation:
1. Diazonium Salts
- Benzene diazonium chloride is a diazonium salt, which contains a diazo group (-N₂⁺) attached to a benzene ring.
- Diazonium salts are highly reactive compounds and can undergo various reactions to form different products.
2. Conversion to Benzene
- To convert a diazonium salt into benzene, we need a reagent that can remove the diazo group (-N₂⁺) and replace it with a hydrogen atom (-H). This process is known as "dediazotization."
- H₃PO₂ (hypophosphorous acid) is commonly used as a reducing agent in dediazotization reactions.
- H₃PO₂ reduces the diazonium salt by donating a hydrogen atom, resulting in the elimination of the diazo group (-N₂⁺) and the formation of benzene.
3. Mechanism of Dediazotization
The conversion of benzene diazonium chloride to benzene using H₃PO₂ involves the following steps:
- Step 1: Protonation
- H₃PO₂ reacts with the diazonium salt, protonating the diazo group (-N₂⁺) to form a diazonium cation.
- The chloride ion (Cl⁻) acts as a counterion, balancing the positive charge.
- Step 2: Nitrogen Elimination
- The diazonium cation is highly unstable and undergoes spontaneous nitrogen elimination.
- The diazo group (-N₂⁺) splits off as nitrogen gas (N₂), leaving behind a highly reactive carbocation intermediate.
- Step 3: Tautomerization
- The carbocation intermediate undergoes tautomerization, rearranging to form a more stable structure.
- The tautomeric form involves the delocalization of the positive charge across the benzene ring, resulting in the formation of benzene.
4. Other Reagents
- The other reagents listed in the options are not suitable for the conversion of benzene diazonium chloride to benzene.
- Methanol (CH₃OH) is not a strong enough reducing agent to remove the diazo group.
- Br₂-H₂O cannot replace the diazo group with a hydrogen atom.
- LiAlH₄ (lithium aluminum hydride) is a strong reducing agent but would not selectively remove the diazo group without further reactions.
Therefore, the correct reagent for the conversion of benzene diazonium chloride to benzene is H₃PO₂.