Predict the major organic product for the following Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction + AlCl3

Chemistry
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ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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**Title: Predicting the Major Organic Product in a Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reaction**

**Introduction to Friedel-Crafts Alkylation:**
Friedel-Crafts alkylation is a chemical reaction used to attach an alkyl group to an aromatic ring, such as benzene. This reaction is facilitated by a Lewis acid catalyst, typically aluminum chloride (AlCl₃).

**Reaction Overview:**
In this example, benzene reacts with a chloromethyl compound (chloromethylbenzene) in the presence of an aluminum chloride catalyst. The structures are shown in the reaction schematic:

- **Benzene**: An aromatic ring with alternating single and double bonds.
- **Chloromethylbenzene**: A benzene ring attached to a chloromethyl group (Cl-CH₂).
- **Catalyst**: Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is used to facilitate the reaction.

**Expected Outcome:**
The Lewis acid (AlCl₃) polarizes the C-Cl bond in the chloromethyl compound, making the carbon more electrophilic. The benzene ring then attacks this electrophilic center, resulting in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. The major organic product is toluene, which is benzene with a methyl group (CH₃) attached.

**Conclusion:**
This reaction mechanism demonstrates the electrophilic aromatic substitution typical of Friedel-Crafts alkylation, where the aromatic ring gains an alkyl group through the aid of a Lewis acid catalyst. Understanding this process is essential in organic synthesis for the creation of complex aromatic compounds.
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Predicting the Major Organic Product in a Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reaction** **Introduction to Friedel-Crafts Alkylation:** Friedel-Crafts alkylation is a chemical reaction used to attach an alkyl group to an aromatic ring, such as benzene. This reaction is facilitated by a Lewis acid catalyst, typically aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). **Reaction Overview:** In this example, benzene reacts with a chloromethyl compound (chloromethylbenzene) in the presence of an aluminum chloride catalyst. The structures are shown in the reaction schematic: - **Benzene**: An aromatic ring with alternating single and double bonds. - **Chloromethylbenzene**: A benzene ring attached to a chloromethyl group (Cl-CH₂). - **Catalyst**: Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is used to facilitate the reaction. **Expected Outcome:** The Lewis acid (AlCl₃) polarizes the C-Cl bond in the chloromethyl compound, making the carbon more electrophilic. The benzene ring then attacks this electrophilic center, resulting in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. The major organic product is toluene, which is benzene with a methyl group (CH₃) attached. **Conclusion:** This reaction mechanism demonstrates the electrophilic aromatic substitution typical of Friedel-Crafts alkylation, where the aromatic ring gains an alkyl group through the aid of a Lewis acid catalyst. Understanding this process is essential in organic synthesis for the creation of complex aromatic compounds.
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