Question

Draw a detailed mechanism for the chlorination of benzene using ${\mathbf{Cl}}_{\mathbf{2}}$and${\mathbf{FeCl}}_{\mathbf{3}}$ .

Short answer

The addition of halogen atoms or atoms to benzene yielding an aryl halide is referred to as the halogenation of benzene.

The halogenation reactions are carried out in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as $AlC{l}_3$ or $FeB{r}_3$.

Step-by-step solution

Halogenation of benzene

The addition of halogen atoms or atoms to benzene yielding an aryl halide is referred to as the halogenation of benzene.

The halogenation reactions are carried out in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as $AlC{l}_3$ or $FeB{r}_3$.

Chlorination of benzene

The reaction of benzene with $C{l}_2$in the presence of $FeC{l}_3$yields chlorobenzene.

Chlorination of benzene

Mechanism for the chlorination of benzene

The chlorination of benzene involves three major steps:

[1]. The reaction of $C{l}_2$ with $FeC{l}_3$ yields$C{l}^{+}$.

[2]. The addition of $C{l}^{+}$to benzene generates a C-Cl bond.

[3]. $FeC{l}_4$– removes the proton from the carbon bonded to Cl, re-forming the aromatic ring and regenerating the Lewis acid catalyst.