During the electrophilic aromatic substitution of benzene with to strictly yield chlorobenzene, what — Haloalkanes and Haloarenes Chemistry Question
Question
During the electrophilic aromatic substitution of benzene with $Cl_2$ to strictly yield chlorobenzene, what is the precise catalytic function of the added anhydrous $FeCl_3$?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
$FeCl_3$ is a strong, electron-deficient Lewis acid. It coordinates directly with the $Cl_2$ molecule, drawing electron density and heterolytically snapping the bond to release the highly reactive chloronium ion ($Cl^+$).
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes