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Aromatic Chemistry

Friedel–Crafts reactions and the nitration of methyl benzoate

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 1

Overview

Catalyst used in a Friedel–Crafts alkylation of benzene, electrophile formed in the alkylation of benzene with chloroethane and electrophile formed in the acylation of benzene with ethanoyl chloride.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Describe the practical method for preparing methyl 3-nitrobenzoate.

Key term

Name the catalyst used in a Friedel–Crafts alkylation of benzene.

Key term

Write the equation for the formation of the electrophile when chloroethane reacts with aluminium chloride.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name the catalyst used in a Friedel–Crafts alkylation of benzene.

    Model answer

    Anhydrous aluminium chloride is used.

  2. 2

    Write the equation for the formation of the electrophile when chloroethane reacts with aluminium chloride.

    Model answer

    The equation is CH₃CH₂Cl + AlCl₃ → CH₃CH₂⁺ + AlCl₄⁻.

  3. 3

    Name the electrophile formed in the alkylation of benzene with chloroethane.

    Model answer

    The electrophile is the ethyl carbocation, CH₃CH₂⁺.

  4. 4

    Write the overall equation for the reaction of benzene with chloroethane over aluminium chloride and name the product.

    Model answer

    The equation is C₆H₆ + CH₃CH₂Cl → C₆H₅CH₂CH₃ + HCl, and the product is ethylbenzene.

  5. 5

    Write the equation for the formation of the electrophile when ethanoyl chloride reacts with aluminium chloride.

    Model answer

    The equation is CH₃COCl + AlCl₃ → CH₃CO⁺ + AlCl₄⁻.

  6. 6

    Name the electrophile formed in the acylation of benzene with ethanoyl chloride.

    Model answer

    The electrophile is the acylium ion CH₃CO⁺, also called the ethanoyl cation.

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