Which of the following, is the product of the reaction between ${AlCl}_{3} and {CH}_{3} {OCH}_{3} ?$

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answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

Me
  \
   O+
  /
Me

AlCl3

→

Me
  \
   O+ — AlCl3⊖
  /
Me

Reactants:

Left side: Dimethyl ether cation (Me₂O⁺) where "Me" represents methyl groups (CH₃)
Reagent: Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) - a Lewis acid

Product:

Right side: A Lewis acid-base complex where the positively charged oxygen is coordinated to the aluminum chloride anion (AlCl₃^⊖)

Starting Material (Left):

Reagent:

Product (Right):

The oxonium ion forms a coordination complex with AlCl₃
The oxygen (O⁺) bonds to AlCl₃^⊖
This creates an ion pair: [Me₂O⁺—AlCl₃^⊖]
The aluminum chloride becomes negatively charged after accepting electron density
Reaction Mechanism
This reaction demonstrates a Lewis acid-base interaction:
The positively charged oxygen acts as a Lewis base (electron pair donor)
AlCl₃ acts as a Lewis acid (electron pair acceptor)
A coordinate covalent bond forms between oxygen and aluminum
The negative charge resides on the AlCl₃ moiety in the product
Applications: This type of interaction is common in Friedel-Crafts reactions and other organic transformations where AlCl₃ is used as a catalyst or activating agent.