Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
Which of the following represents the product formed by the reaction between AlCl ₃ and CH ₃ OCH ₃ ?
Correct answer
3
Step-by-step solution
The reaction between AlCl ₃ and CH ₃ OCH ₃ is a Lewis acid-base reaction. AlCl ₃ acts as a Lewis acid because the central aluminum atom has an incomplete octet (6 valence electrons) and an empty p-orbital. CH ₃ OCH ₃ (dimethyl ether) acts as a Lewis base because the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons. The oxygen atom donates one of its lone pairs to the empty orbital of aluminum, forming a coordinate covalent bond. As a result of this electron pair donation, the oxygen atom acquires a formal positive charg