Question

Identify major product ‘P’ formed in the following reaction.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This reaction is an example of the Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction, which involves the introduction of an acyl group into an aromatic ring using an acyl chloride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst such as anhydrous AlCl₃.

In this reaction, benzene reacts with benzoyl chloride (C₆H₅COCl) in the presence of AlCl₃ to form benzophenone as the major product.

1. The catalyst AlCl₃ facilitates the formation of an acylium ion (C₆H₅CO⁺) from benzoyl chloride by forming an ionic complex.
2. The acylium ion, a powerful electrophile, attacks the π-electron-rich benzene ring.
3. This leads to the formation of a resonance-stabilized carbocation intermediate.
4. The aromaticity of the benzene ring is restored by the loss of a proton, resulting in the formation of benzophenone (C₆H₅COC₆H₅).

Thus, the major product P is benzophenone.

Hence, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Answer 2

The reaction is an example of Friedel-Crafts acylation. The acylium ion (\(\text{RCO}^+\)) generated by the reaction of acyl chloride with \(\text{AlCl}_3\) acts as an electrophile and attacks benzene to form the acylated product.

\[ 6(-C=O)-C=O \]

Thus, the major product is:

\[ P = 6(-C=O)(-COPh) \]