Question

Draw the mechanism for the the reaction of benzene with chlorine. What Lewis acid is generally used as a catalyst? Explain why this catalyst is necessary and how it works

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of benzene with chlorine yields a compound known as chloro benzene. The reaction proceeds in the presence of aluminium chloride catalyst. The reaction mechanism which is also called electrophic substitution is shown diagrammatically in the attached file.

Or we can also show the balanced equation as:

C6H6 +Cl2 => C6H5Cl + HCl.

Lewis acid: the catalyst utilized in this process is known as a Lewis acid. It is a metal-based acid which functions by accepting an electron pair in the reaction. In doing this, the reactivity of the reactant is improved.