Timothy Chng (04) 10th February

Chemical: Toluene

Chemical Formula: C₆H₅H + CH₃⁺ + AlCl₄^- → C₆H₅CH₃ + HCl + AlCl₃
Bond: Covalent bonding is present in toluene

Benzene reacts with methyl chloride in presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride to form toluene. The formation follows an electrophilic substitution reaction mechanism. Benzene is a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell. It is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes. Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil, and may be synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum. Anhydrous aluminium chloride is a powerful Lewis acid, capable of forming Lewis acid-base adducts with even weak Lewis bases such as benzophenone and mesitylene. It forms tetrachloroaluminate AlCl₄⁻ in the presence of chloride ions. Methyl chloride is a chemical compound of the group of organic compounds called haloalkanes. It was once widely used as a refrigerant. It is a colorless extremely flammable gas with a minorly sweet odor, which is, however, detected at possibly toxic levels. Due to concerns about its toxicity, it is no longer present in consumer products.