Question

The electrophile involved in the following reaciton is

A. formyl cation `(overset(+)(C)HO)`
B. Dichlorocarbene `( :C Cl_(2))`
C. Dichloromethul cation `(overset(+)(C)HCl_(2))`
D. Trichloromethyl cation `( :overset(-)(C)Cl_(3))`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - B
The Reimer-Tiemann reaction involves electrophilic substitution on the highly reactive phenoxide ring. The electrophilic reagent is dichlorocarbene `( :C Cl_(2))` generated from chloroform by the aciton of base:
`CHCI_(3) +OH^(-)overset(rarr)underset(larr). :barC CI_(3) +H_(2)O`
`: C CI_(3)^(-)overset(rarr)underset(larr). CI^(-) + : C CI_(2)`