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Benzene reacts with $CH_3Cl$ in the presence of anhydrous $AlCl_3$ to form
A
Xylene
B
Toluene
C
Chlorobenzene
D
Benzyl chloride
Detailed Solution
This is the Friedel–Crafts alkylation, an electrophilic substitution reaction.
Anhydrous $AlCl_3$, a Lewis acid, generates the electrophile from the alkyl halide: $CH_3Cl + AlCl_3 \rightarrow CH_3^+ + AlCl_4^-$
The methyl carbocation attacks the benzene ring and replaces a hydrogen atom: $C_6H_6 + CH_3Cl \xrightarrow{anhyd.\ AlCl_3} C_6H_5CH_3 + HCl$
The product, methylbenzene, is toluene.
Hence benzene forms toluene.
Anhydrous $AlCl_3$, a Lewis acid, generates the electrophile from the alkyl halide: $CH_3Cl + AlCl_3 \rightarrow CH_3^+ + AlCl_4^-$
The methyl carbocation attacks the benzene ring and replaces a hydrogen atom: $C_6H_6 + CH_3Cl \xrightarrow{anhyd.\ AlCl_3} C_6H_5CH_3 + HCl$
The product, methylbenzene, is toluene.
Hence benzene forms toluene.