Chapter 13: Problem 44
When a dilute solution of 6 -phenylhexanoyl chloride in carbon disulfide was slowly added (over a period of eight days!) to a suspension of aluminum chloride in the same solvent, it yielded a product \(\mathrm{A}\left(\mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{14} \mathrm{O}\right)\) in \(67 \%\) yield. Oxidation of \(\mathrm{A}\) gave benzene- 1,2 -dicarboxylic acid.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify the Reaction Type
Identify the Product Structure
Reaction Mechanism
Verify Product from the Reaction
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Reaction Mechanism
- The presence of the aluminum chloride is essential since it enhances the electrophilic nature of the acyl chloride, making it more reactive toward the aromatic ring.
- Once formed, the acylium ion acts as an electrophile, meaning it is positively charged and eager to accept electrons. This ion then seeks out the electron-rich aromatic ring for attack.
Acyl Chloride
- They possess a high reactivity due to the electronegative nature of the chlorine atom, which is a good leaving group.
- When treated with catalysts like aluminum chloride, acyl chlorides efficiently form acylium ions.
Carbon Disulfide
- Carbon disulfide is a non-polar solvent, making it ideal for stabilizing reactive ionic intermediates such as acylium ions without reacting with them.
- It has a relatively high boiling point and excellent solvating ability for various organic compounds, providing a medium that facilitates the movement and reaction of molecules.
Aluminum Chloride
- It helps in forming the acylium ion from the acyl chloride by coordinating with the carbonyl oxygen of the acyl chloride, which facilitates the cleavage of the carbon-chlorine bond to produce the reactive acylium ion.
- Aluminum chloride's strong Lewis acidity makes it effective in enhancing the electrophilicity of acyl groups, ensuring efficient acylation of the aromatic ring.
Acylation Product
- The presence of a new carbonyl functional group that modifies the chemical and physical properties of the aromatic compound.
- In the exercise problem, the acylation product indicates a 1-phenyl-2-ketohexane structure, which upon oxidation gave benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid. This reveals both the structural and functional evolution of the starting material.