The function of AlCl3in the Friedel Crafts reaction is:a)To produce a ...
AlCl3 promotes the chlorination of aromatic molecules such as benzene, when chlorine (Cl2) is added. The AlCl3 is regenerated, and HCl is a byproduct. The Friedel-Crafts reaction is also promoted by AlCl3. In Friedel-Crafts acylation, the product is an aromatic ketone, and the byproduct is HCl.
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The function of AlCl3in the Friedel Crafts reaction is:a)To produce a ...
The Function of AlCl3 in the Friedel-Crafts Reaction
The Friedel-Crafts reaction is a commonly used organic reaction that involves the introduction of a substituent onto an aromatic ring. The reaction is named after the chemists Charles Friedel and James Crafts who first discovered it.
One of the key components in the Friedel-Crafts reaction is aluminum chloride (AlCl3). AlCl3 acts as a catalyst in this reaction, meaning that it facilitates the reaction without being consumed in the process. Its main function is to produce an electrophile, which is a species that is electron-deficient and therefore attracted to electron-rich species.
Production of an Electrophile
- In the Friedel-Crafts reaction, AlCl3 reacts with a Lewis base to form a complex that acts as a Lewis acid. A Lewis acid is a species that can accept a pair of electrons from a Lewis base.
- The Lewis base in this case is the aromatic compound that is being reacted. The Lewis acid-base complex formed between AlCl3 and the aromatic compound generates a positive charge on the aromatic carbon, creating an electrophilic center.
- The electrophilic center is then capable of attacking a nucleophile, such as an alkyl group or an acyl group, which leads to the substitution of a hydrogen atom on the aromatic ring with the nucleophile.
Role of AlCl3 as a Catalyst
- AlCl3 is a strong Lewis acid, meaning that it has a high affinity for accepting a pair of electrons. This property allows it to facilitate the formation of the electrophile in the Friedel-Crafts reaction.
- As a catalyst, AlCl3 is not consumed in the reaction and can be used repeatedly in subsequent reactions. This makes it an efficient and cost-effective choice for the Friedel-Crafts reaction.
Conclusion
In summary, the function of AlCl3 in the Friedel-Crafts reaction is to act as a catalyst and produce an electrophile. By forming a Lewis acid-base complex with the aromatic compound, AlCl3 generates a positive charge on the aromatic carbon, creating an electrophilic center capable of attacking a nucleophile. This allows for the introduction of a substituent onto the aromatic ring, leading to the formation of a new organic compound.
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