For the formation of phenylethanone from benzene: Name and explain the mechanism, write an overall equation and write an equation for the formation of the electrophile.

Overall equation:
C6H+ CH3COCl ---> C6H5COCH3 + HCl

Equation for formation of the electrophile:
CH3COCl + AlCl3 ---> [CH3CO]+ + [AlCl4]-

Name of mechanism:
Electrophilic substitution

Explanation of mechanism:
The electron-deficient CH3CO+ electrophile ion is attacked by the delocalised pi electron system in the benzene ring breaking the aromaticity of benzene to form [C6H6COCH3]+. The residual proton may then be accepted by a residual chloride ion in the remaining [AlCl4]to form the residual HCl product and re-form the AlCl3 catalyst and retain the aromaticity of the product.

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Answered by William F. Chemistry tutor

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