Question

Write chemical reactions involved in Gattermann-Koch Formylation

Hint:

The Gattermann-Koch reaction is particularly useful for incorporating formyl groups into benzene rings to create benzaldehyde, a valuable intermediate in the synthesis of various organic compounds.

Answer 1

The Gattermann-Koch reaction enables the synthesis of benzaldehyde derivatives by introducing a formyl (\(-\text{CHO}\)) group into benzene or similarly activated aromatic rings. This transformation utilizes carbon monoxide (\(\text{CO}\)) and hydrogen chloride (\(\text{HCl}\)) in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as aluminum chloride (\(\text{AlCl}_3\)) and copper(I) chloride (\(\text{CuCl}\)). \[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_6 + \text{CO} + \text{HCl} \xrightarrow{\text{AlCl}_3, \text{CuCl}} \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CHO} \]