Question

What is the major monosubstitution product from the Friedel–Crafts reaction of benzene with 1-chloro-2-methylpropane in the presence of ${\mathbf{AlCl}}_3$ ?

Short answer

Alkylation reactions constitute a useful electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The reaction involves the introduction of an alkyl group into the benzene ring. The reagents used for this reaction are an alkyl chloride in the presence of .

Step-by-step solution

Friedel-Crafts reaction

Alkylation reactions constitute a useful electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The reaction involves the introduction of an alkyl group into the benzene ring. The reagents used for this reaction are an alkyl chloride in the presence of .

Major monosubstitution product from the Friedelcraft’s reaction of benzene with 1-chloro-2-methylpropane

The electrophile involved when 1-chloro-2-methylpropane is used in Friedal-Crafts reaction is 1-chloro-2-methylpropyl carbocation. It is primary and will rearrange to form a more stable tert-butyl carbocation. This carbocation attacks the benzene ring to form tert-butyl benzene as the product. The reaction can be given as:

Friedelcraft’s reaction of benzene with 1-chloro-2-methylpropane