In the electrophilic aromatic substitution of naphthalene, attack at the (C-1) position is kinetical — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the electrophilic aromatic substitution of naphthalene, attack at the $\alpha$ (C-1) position yields an intermediate (arenium ion) that has two canonical forms preserving a fully intact, low-energy benzenoid ring. Attack at the $\beta$ (C-2) position yields an intermediate with only one such benzenoid canonical form. Since the transition state resembling the $\alpha$ -intermediate has a lower energy, $\alpha$ -attack is faster and kinetically favored.