Question

In Friedal-Craft's alkylation besides $AlCl_3$ the other reactants are

• A. $C_6H_6 + NH_3$
• B. $C_6H_6 + CH_4$
• C. $C_6H_6 + CH_3Cl$
• D. $C_6H_6 + CH_3COCl$

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Friedel-Crafts alkylation is a chemical reaction used to add an alkyl group to an aromatic ring such as benzene (C_6H_6). The reaction requires an alkyl halide and a Lewis acid catalyst, commonly aluminum chloride (AlCl_3). Let's break down the options to determine the correct reactants that participate in Friedel-Crafts alkylation:

1. C_6H_6 + NH_3: Ammonia (NH_3) does not serve as an alkyl group donor. Hence, this option is incorrect.
2. C_6H_6 + CH_4: Methane (CH_4) is not reactive under Friedel-Crafts alkylation conditions because it lacks a halogen that can be removed to form a carbocation. Thus, this option is incorrect.
3. C_6H_6 + CH_3Cl: Methyl chloride (CH_3Cl) is an alkyl halide that can readily form a carbocation in the presence of AlCl_3, facilitating the alkylation of benzene. This is the correct set of reactants for Friedel-Crafts alkylation.
4. C_6H_6 + CH_3COCl: Acetyl chloride (CH_3COCl) is used in Friedel-Crafts acylation, not alkylation. Therefore, this option is not applicable to the alkylation process.

Therefore, the correct reactants for Friedel-Crafts alkylation are C_6H_6 + CH_3Cl along with the catalyst AlCl_3.