What is the role of a catalyst in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the role of a catalyst in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions?
To stabilize the product
To generate the electrophile
To increase the temperature
To decrease the reaction time
The catalyst in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, such as AlCl3 or FeBr3, is used to generate the electrophile that will react with the aromatic compound.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the role of a catalyst in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions?
Solution: The catalyst in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, such as AlCl3 or FeBr3, is used to generate the electrophile that will react with the aromatic compound.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what a catalyst is. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Step 2: Know what electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) reactions are. These are reactions where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic compound.
Step 3: Identify the role of the catalyst in EAS. The catalyst helps to create the electrophile that will react with the aromatic compound.
Step 4: Recognize examples of catalysts used in EAS, such as AlCl3 (aluminum chloride) or FeBr3 (iron bromide).
Step 5: Conclude that without the catalyst, the electrophile may not form, and the reaction would not proceed efficiently.
