Question

Benzene reacts with CH₃COCl + AICl₃ to give ______.

Options

• chlorobenzene

• toluene

• benzyl chloride

• acetophenone

Answer 1

Benzene reacts with CH₃COCl + AICl₃ to give acetophenone.

Explanation:

This reaction is known as Friedel-Crafts Acylation. When benzene reacts with acetyl chloride (CH₃COCl) in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride (AlCl₃), the AlCl₃ acts as a Lewis acid catalyst to generate an electrophile (CH₃CO⁺). This electrophile attacks the benzene ring, substituting a hydrogen atom with an acetyl group to form acetophenone.