Question

Draw a stepwise mechanism for Step [2] in Figure 30.7 using the Lewis acid catalyst.

Short answer

Answer

Mechanism of the reaction

Step-by-step solution

Lewis acid

The chemical species that possess the capability to acquire a pair of electrons from the compound that has donor capability is called Lewis acid. Some of the examples are protons, transition metal cations, carbocations, etc.

Aluminum chloride

The inorganic species that bear three chlorine and one aluminum atom is aluminum chloride.This inorganic compound is a widely used Lewis acid for many chemical reactions.

Mechanism of the reaction

AlCl₃attacks the lone pair of electron present in the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group creating a positive charge, and is removed. This results in resonance structures. The proton is rearranged, and the desired product is obtained.

The mechanism is shown below.

Mechanism of the reaction