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:
C₆H₆+ 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.

Answered by William F. • Chemistry tutor

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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.

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