Table of Contents
What is an Electrophilic Substitution Reaction?
An electrophilic substitution reaction is a type of organic reaction in which an electron-rich molecule, usually a halogen, swaps places with another molecule’s electron-poor atom. This process creates a new, more stable molecule while releasing energy in the form of heat.
An Overview of the Electrophilic Substitution of Benzene
The electrophilic substitution of benzene is a type of organic reaction in which a carbon atom in a benzene molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms. The most common type of electrophilic substitution reaction is the attack of a molecule of hydrogen chloride (HCl) on an aromatic ring, a process known as halogenation.
In the halogenation of benzene, a molecule of hydrogen chloride is added to the ring, and a molecule of chlorine is produced. The hydrogen chloride molecule attacks the carbon atom in the ring, and the chlorine molecule is attached to the carbon atom.
What is the Electrophilic Substitution Reaction of Benzene?
Benzene is a six-carbon aromatic hydrocarbon. The electron-rich benzene molecule undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions with various electrophiles. In these reactions, a benzene molecule donates one electron to an electrophile, which in turn becomes negatively charged. The electrophile then attacks one of the carbon atoms in the benzene ring, displacing a hydrogen atom. This process forms a new covalent bond between the benzene ring and the electrophile, and a new molecule is created.
General Mechanism of the Electrophilic Substitution Reaction of Benzene?
The electrophilic substitution reaction of benzene is a process by which an electron-rich molecule, such as benzene, exchanges an electron with an electron-poor molecule, such as a halogen. The electron-poor molecule becomes positively charged, or electrophilic, and the electron-rich molecule becomes negatively charged, or nucleophilic. The halogen then attacks the benzene molecule, and the two electrons from the benzene molecule are transferred to the halogen. This leaves the benzene molecule with a positive charge, and the halogen with a negative charge. The halogen then leaves the molecule, and the positive charge on the benzene molecule is neutralized by the negative charge on the halogen.
Examples of Electrophilic Substitution Reaction
There are many types of electrophilic substitution reactions. Some of the most common ones are shown below.
1. Sulfonation
Sulfonation is the process of adding a sulfonate group to an organic molecule. The most common way to do this is by using sulfuric acid as the electrophile.
2. Halogenation
Halogenation is the process of adding a halogen atom to an organic molecule. The most common way to do this is by using fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine as the electrophile.
3. Nitration
Nitration is the process of adding a nitro group to an organic molecule. The most common way to do this is by using nitric acid as the electrophile.
