Home > Organic Chemistry > Introduction to Reactions and Mechanisms

Why is nitrobenzene commonly used as a solvent in Friedel-Crafts acylation/alkylation?

Answer 1

Why is nitrobenzene used as a solvent in Friedel-Crafts acylation/alkylation?

Nitrobenzene contains an electron-withdrawing nitro group directly bound to the phenyl ring. As #-^+N(=O)O^-#, i.e. a quaternized nitrogen, it serves to deactivate the aromatic ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitution. And of course, a lack of reactivity is required of a solvent in an organic reaction. It is also relatively high boiling, (#>210# #""^@C#), so this means you can heat the reaction up high to get it going.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Addison Armstrong

Nitrobenzene is used in Friedel-Crafts reactions because it is a non-participating solvent that doesn't react with the catalyst or the reactants. This prevents side reactions and maintains the stability of the reaction.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.