See image — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Concept: Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS) with interhalogen compounds. Step 1: Identify the electrophile. ICl is an interhalogen compound. In the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst (anhydrous AlCl3), ICl undergoes polarization. AlCl3 coordinates with the Cl end of ICl (since Cl is more electronegative and forms a stronger bond with Al), generating I(+) as the electrophilic species: ICl + AlCl3 → I(+)...AlCl4(-) Step 2: Determine which atom attacks benzene. Because iodine is the more electropositive end of ICl, it acts as the electrophile (I+) that attacks the benzene ring in the EAS mechanism. Step 3: Write the product. The electrophilic iodine (I+) substitutes one hydrogen on benzene, giving iodobenzene (C6H5I). The byproduct is HAlCl4, which decomposes to HCl + AlCl3 (catalyst regenerated). Step 4: Evaluate options. - (a) Chlorobenzene: Would require Cl+ as electrophile; Cl is the more electronegative atom in ICl, so it bonds to AlCl3 rather than attacking benzene. Incorrect. - (b) Iodobenzene: Correct product as I+ is the electrophile attacking benzene. Correct. - (c) 1-chloro-4-iodobenzene: Disubstitution product; only one substitution occurs under these conditions and only I is introduced. Incorrect. - (d) 1-iodo-3-chlorobenzene: Again a disubstitution product with both I and Cl; not formed. Incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is B.