Convert benzene to 1- bromo-3-ethylbenzene?
Convert benzene to 1- bromo-3-ethylbenzene?
**Conversion of Benzene to 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene**
Benzene is a cyclic hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C6H6, while 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H9Br. The conversion of benzene to 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene involves introducing a bromine atom at the desired position and adding an ethyl group.
Here is a detailed explanation of the conversion process:
**Step 1: Bromination of Benzene**
The first step in the conversion is the bromination of benzene. This reaction is carried out by treating benzene with a brominating agent such as bromine (Br2) or a brominating reagent like N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of a catalyst such as iron (Fe) or aluminum bromide (AlBr3). The reaction proceeds via electrophilic aromatic substitution. The bromine atom substitutes one of the hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring, resulting in the formation of bromobenzene.
**Step 2: Friedel-Crafts Alkylation**
The next step involves the addition of an ethyl group to the bromobenzene molecule. This reaction is known as Friedel-Crafts alkylation. It is carried out by treating bromobenzene with ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The reaction proceeds via electrophilic aromatic substitution, where the ethyl group replaces the hydrogen atom on the benzene ring, resulting in the formation of ethylbenzene.
**Step 3: Bromination of Ethylbenzene**
In this step, the bromination of the ethyl group on the ethylbenzene molecule is carried out. This reaction is similar to the bromination of benzene and involves the substitution of a hydrogen atom on the ethyl group with a bromine atom. The bromination can be achieved by treating ethylbenzene with bromine (Br2) or a brominating reagent such as N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of a catalyst such as iron (Fe) or aluminum bromide (AlBr3). This reaction results in the formation of 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene.
**Conclusion**
By following the above steps, benzene can be converted to 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene. The bromination of benzene introduces a bromine atom, and the subsequent Friedel-Crafts alkylation and bromination of ethylbenzene add an ethyl group and a bromine atom, respectively. These steps result in the formation of 1-Bromo-3-Ethylbenzene, which is an important organic compound used in various applications.