In the electrophilic substitution reactions, 1-position of naphthalene is more reactive than its 2-position. (draw all possible resonance structures)
Answers
Electrophilic substitution reaction in naphthalene is quite similar to benzene reaction. The alpha position is more stabilized than the beta position. The carbocation formed at an alpha position after the attack of an electrophile is much more stabilized by its resonance than the second position. Hence electrophilic substitution is more at C1 than C2 position.
Answer : The possible resonance structures are shown below.
Naphthalene undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions similar to benzene. In naphthalene, electrophilic substitution can occur at carbon-1 or at carbon-2.
The carbocation formed by the attack of electrophile at 1-position of naphthalene is much more stabilize by resonance since it has four contributing structures in which aromatic character is retained in one of the ring.
The carbocation formed by the attack of electrophile at 2-position of naphthalene has only two contributing structures in which aromatic character is retained in one of the ring.
Thus, the electrophilic substitution occurs preferably at carbon-1.
