Question

What happens when benzene is treated with isopropyl chloride in the presence of aluminum trichloride?

1) Formation of isopropylbenzene
2) Formation of tert-butylbenzene
3) Formation of ethylbenzene
4) Formation of sec-butylbenzene

Answer 1

When benzene reacts with isopropyl chloride in the presence of AlCl3, isopropylbenzene is formed via a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When benzene is treated with isopropyl chloride in the presence of aluminum trichloride (AlCl3), isopropylbenzene is formed. This reaction is a typical example of a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, where an alkyl group (isopropyl in this case) is introduced to the benzene ring. The AlCl3 acts as a Lewis acid catalyst, helping to generate a more reactive carbocation from the isopropyl chloride, which then attaches to the benzene ring, replacing a hydrogen atom. The process results in the formation of isopropylbenzene, also known as cumene.