Chlorination of benzene
Benzene does not react with chlorine unless a Lewis acid such as ferric chloride is present in the reaction mixture. The reaction is exothermic and the product is the result of substitution rather than addition where chlorobenzene is given in good yield.
FeCl3
C6H6 + Cl2 __> C6H5Cl + HCl
Although the reaction takes place at room temperature, it does not go to completion. The chlorination of benzene is generally carried out at 57°C to ensure 100% conversion.
The introduction of a chlorine atom deactivates the ring somewhat towards further attack. However, this is not sufficient to prevent polyubstitution, and depending on the amount of chlorine present, di-, tri- and higher chlorobenzenes are formed. In order to minimise polysubstitution, excessive temperatures are avoided and the mono product is removed from the reaction zone as soon as it is formed.
Alumina (Al2O3) has been used as a catalyst industrially.
References unknown.
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