Question:medium

Suggest the name of a Lewis acid other than anhydrous aluminium chloride which can be used during ethylation of benzene.

Updated On: Jan 19, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Answer:

A Lewis acid other than anhydrous aluminium chloride that can be used during ethylation of benzene is:

Anhydrous ferric chloride (FeCl3)


Explanation:

Lewis acids are required in Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions to generate the electrophile. Anhydrous ferric chloride (FeCl3) acts as a Lewis acid by accepting an electron pair and facilitates the formation of the ethyl carbocation, similar to AlCl3.


Other acceptable Lewis acids:

  • Anhydrous zinc chloride (ZnCl2)
  • Boron trifluoride (BF3)
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