Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Anisole Virtual Lab

General Aim

Alkylation and acylation of aromatic rings

Method

Friedel crafts reaction is used for either alkylation or acylation of aromatic rings through electrophilic substitution reaction.

Theoretical Background/Context

Friedel Crafts reaction is an example of electrophilic substitution reactions that can be carried out for aromatic compounds. Substitution of either an alkyl group ( - CH2- R) or an acyl group ( - CO – CH2 – R) takes place leading to the formation of a new carbon – carbon bond. During this reaction, aluminium .chloride is used as a catalyst, where it reacts with acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride forming acylium ion (+CO – CH3) as a charged electrophile

Figure 1. Acylation of anisole

 

Mechanism of Friedel Crafts reaction:
 

 

Principle of Work

Acylation of anisole is carried out through Friedel Crafts reaction, where aluminum chloride is used as a catalyst.

Then, the formed product is extracted using a separatory funnel. Finally, magnesium sulfate is used as a dehydrating agent for the organic layer before evaporating dichloromethane to obtain the final product.