MHT CET Medical202624 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryHydrocarbonsActual
Chlorobenzene is formed by the reaction between benzene and chlorine in presence of AlCl ₃ . Which of the following species actually attacks the benzene ring in this reaction?
Options
- ACl ^-
- BCl ₂
- CCl ^+
- DAlCl ₄^-
Correct answer
C. Cl ^+
Step-by-step solution
The reaction of benzene with chlorine in the presence of AlCl ₃ is an electrophilic aromatic substitution. The Lewis acid AlCl ₃ reacts with Cl ₂ to generate the chloronium ion, Cl ^+ , which acts as an electrophile. Cl ₂ + AlCl ₃ Cl ^+ + AlCl ₄^- The electrophile Cl ^+ then attacks the electron-rich benzene ring to form a resonance-stabilized carbocation (sigma complex). Thus, the species that actually attacks the benzene ring is Cl ^+ . Answer: Cl ^+