6.5.1

Electrophilic Substitution

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Electrophilic Substitution of Benzene

Electrophilic substitution reactions can be used to introduce halogens or nitro (NO2) groups onto a benzene ring.

Illustrative background for Nitration of benzeneIllustrative background for Nitration of benzene ?? "content

Nitration of benzene

  • In nitration reactions of benzene, benzene reacts with a nitronium ion, NO2+, which is produced from the reaction of nitric acid with sulphuric acid.
  • Sulphuric acid acts as an acid catalyst and the reaction requires heating to 50°C.
Illustrative background for Chlorination of benzeneIllustrative background for Chlorination of benzene ?? "content

Chlorination of benzene

  • The chlorination reaction requires a Lewis acid catalyst such as AlCl3 and a dry solvent, which is normally ether.
Illustrative background for General mechanism of electrophilic substitutionIllustrative background for General mechanism of electrophilic substitution ?? "content

General mechanism of electrophilic substitution

  • Electrophiles are attracted to the high electron density of the benzene ring.
  • The attack of an electrophile on benzene breaks up the continuous cycle of delocalised electrons to form a positively charged intermediate.
  • This intermediate is unstable as it loses aromaticity.
  • A hydrogen ion (H+) is then lost from the non-aromatic intermediate to regain the complete delocalisation of electrons over the six carbons.
Illustrative background for Nitration (mechanism)Illustrative background for Nitration (mechanism) ?? "content

Nitration (mechanism)

  • The electrophile is the nitronium ion (NO2+).
  • The nitronium ion is formed by an acid-base reaction in which sulphuric acid acts as an acid and nitric acid, the weaker of the two acids, as a base:
    • HNO3(aq) + 2H2SO4(aq) → NO2+(aq) + 2HSO4-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
Illustrative background for Nitration (mechanism) cont.Illustrative background for Nitration (mechanism) cont. ?? "content

Nitration (mechanism) cont.

  • On the formation of nitronium (NO2+), which is the electrophile, the reaction mechanism is analogous to the general mechanism.
  • The sulphuric acid is a catalyst as it is regenerated by protonation of HSO4- in the final step.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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