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Aromatic Chemistry and Amines

Electrophilic Substitution: Friedel-Crafts Acylation

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 2 and 3

Overview

The aluminium chloride catalyst and the acylium ion it generates, the electrophilic substitution mechanism, and how the ring regains its aromatic stability.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What catalyst is used in Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene?

Key term

What is the electrophile generated in Friedel-Crafts acylation?

Key term

Why does substitution occur rather than addition when benzene undergoes Friedel-Crafts acylation?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the role of Friedel-Crafts acylation in organic chemistry?

    Model answer

    It is an important step in synthesis

  2. 2

    What catalyst is used in Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene?

    Model answer

    AlCl₃ (aluminium chloride)

  3. 3

    What type of mechanism occurs during Friedel-Crafts acylation?

    Model answer

    Electrophilic substitution

  4. 4

    In the mechanism of Friedel-Crafts acylation, what is the function of the AlCl₃ catalyst?

    Model answer

    It generates the electrophile (the acylium cation)

  5. 5

    What is the electrophile generated in Friedel-Crafts acylation?

    Model answer

    The acylium cation (RCO⁺)

  6. 6

    In the electrophilic substitution mechanism for acylation, what happens when the electrophile attacks the benzene ring?

    Model answer

    A pair of electrons from the delocalised π system forms a bond with the electrophile, creating an intermediate where the ring temporarily loses its aromaticity

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