how does benzene react with methylchloride in presence of anhydrous Alcl3 and CS2
Answers
n a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide, each Friday I profile a different reagent that is commonly encountered in Org 1/ Org 2.
Note: there’s going to be an exciting announcement within the next little while on a new development regarding the Reagent Guide…more details to come soon!
Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3)
1-alcl3
Also known as: aluminum trichloride
What it’s used for: Aluminum chloride is a strong Lewis acid. It’s most commonly used as a catalyst for the halogenation (especially chlorination) of aromatic groups, as well as in the Friedel Crafts reaction. It’s also used in the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction
Similar or equivalent to: Iron chloride (FeCl3) is another reagent which performs many of the same reactions as AlCl3. In addition AlCl3 has essentially the same mode of action as AlBr3 and FeBr3.
Example 1: In electrophilic chlorination
2-alcl3
AlCl3 promotes the chlorination of aromatic molecules such as benzene, when chlorine (Cl2) is added. The AlCl3 is regenerated, and HCl is a byproduct.
Example 2: In the Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction
The Friedel-Crafts reaction is also promoted by AlCl3. In Friedel-Crafts acylation, the product is an aromatic ketone, and the byproduct is HCl.
Example 3: In the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction
4-alcl3
The Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction is also promoted by AlCl3. Since AlCl3 will lead to the formation of a carbocation, one thing to watch out for in these cases is the possibility for rearrangement to more substituted carbocations.
Example 4: In the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction