Question:medium

In the reaction
the electrophile involved is
the electrophile involved is

Updated On: Apr 23, 2026
  • dichloromethyl cation \(C^\oplus HCL_2\)
  • dichloromethyl anion \(C^\ominus HCL_2\)
  • formyl cation \(C^\oplus HO\)
  • dichlorocarbene (:CCl2)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine the electrophile involved in the given reaction, we must analyze the context of the reaction. The chemical reaction shown in the image depicts a Reimer-Tiemann reaction, which involves the conversion of a phenol to an aldehyde group using chloroform (\( \text{CHCl}_3 \)) and a strong base (\( \text{NaOH} \)).

The key intermediate in this reaction is the formation of dichlorocarbene (:CCl2), which acts as the electrophile.

Here is a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Mechanism Initiation: The chloroform (\( \text{CHCl}_3 \)) is deprotonated by the base (\( \text{NaOH} \)) to form the trichloromethyl anion. This is expressed as: \[\text{CHCl}_3 + \text{OH}^- \rightarrow \text{CCl}_3^- + \text{H}_2\text{O}\]
  2. Formation of Electrophile: The trichloromethyl anion (\( \text{CCl}_3^- \)) rapidly eliminates a chloride ion to form dichlorocarbene (:CCl2): \[\text{CCl}_3^- \rightarrow :\text{CCl}_2 + \text{Cl}^-\]
  3. Electrophilic Attack: The dichlorocarbene acts as the electrophile and reacts with the phenoxide ion, leading to the formation of the aldehyde derivative.

Given these mechanistic steps, the correct electrophile in the Reimer-Tiemann reaction is dichlorocarbene (:CCl2).

Conclusion: The electrophile involved in the reaction is dichlorocarbene (:CCl2).

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