Which mechanism is primarily involved in the electrophilic substitution of aromatic compounds?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which mechanism is primarily involved in the electrophilic substitution of aromatic compounds?
SN1
SN2
E1
E2
Electrophilic aromatic substitution primarily follows a mechanism similar to SN1, involving the formation of a carbocation intermediate.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which mechanism is primarily involved in the electrophilic substitution of aromatic compounds?
Solution: Electrophilic aromatic substitution primarily follows a mechanism similar to SN1, involving the formation of a carbocation intermediate.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that electrophilic aromatic substitution is a reaction involving aromatic compounds, which are special types of hydrocarbons with a ring structure.
Step 2: Identify that in this reaction, an electrophile (a positively charged species) attacks the aromatic ring.
Step 3: Recognize that the first step of the mechanism involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate, which is a positively charged carbon atom.
Step 4: Note that this carbocation is formed when the aromatic compound temporarily loses one of its hydrogen atoms to accommodate the electrophile.
Step 5: Understand that after the carbocation is formed, the aromatic compound will regain its aromaticity by losing a proton (H+) to restore the stable ring structure.
Step 6: Conclude that the overall mechanism resembles the SN1 mechanism, where a carbocation intermediate is a key feature.
