Question

Benzene on reaction with methylchloride in the presence of anhydrous \(AlCl_3\) forms toluene. What is the expected outcome if benzene is replaced by benzoic acid? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer 1

Benzoic acid does not undergo reaction with \(CH_3Cl\) i.e Friedel Craft reaction because the carboxyl group is deactivating and the catalyst aluminium chloride (Lewis acid) gets bonded to the carboxyl group