Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons — practice question

Benzene undergoes reaction with bromine in the presence of the aluminium bromide catalyst, AlBr$_3$, to produce bromobenzene. The process is a substitution reaction, not an addition reaction.
(a(i))[1]

Explain why an addition reaction does not occur.

(a(ii))[3]

AlBr$_3$ reacts with bromine to generate the electrophile, Br$^+$. Draw the mechanism for the reaction of benzene with Br$^+$ ions. Include all relevant arrows and charges.

(a(iii))[1]

Write an equation to show the catalyst AlBr$_3$ is reformed.

(b)[2]

Suggest why phenol is brominated more readily than benzene.

(c(i))[3]

There are four different carbocations that share the formula, $\text{C}_4\text{H}_9^+$. One is already shown in the table. Suggest the structural formulae for the other three carbocations.

(c(ii))[4]

Benzene reacts separately with each of these carbocations in Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions. In every case, an organic compound with formula $\text{C}_{10}\text{H}_{14}$ is produced. The number of peaks in the carbon-13 NMR spectrum of each compound is given. Suggest the structures of the three other compounds.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 14-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Substitution product is stabilised through delocalisation of $6\,\pi$ electrons OR addition product is not stabilised

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