227k views
5 votes
What reagents are used to carry out the chlorination of benzene?

User GregL
by
7.8k points

1 Answer

2 votes

The reagents used to carry out the chlorination of benzene are chlorine (Cl2) and a Lewis acid catalyst such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The reaction is as follows:

C6H6 + Cl2 → C6H5Cl + HCl

The Lewis acid catalyst is necessary to polarize the Cl2 molecule, making it a better electrophile and allowing it to attack the benzene ring. Without the catalyst, the reaction would not proceed at a reasonable rate.

User David Tran
by
7.9k points