How Does Aluminum Chloride Work in Friedel-Crafts Reactions?
In Friedel-Crafts reactions, aluminum chloride activates the alkyl halide or acyl halide by forming a complex with it. This complexation increases the electrophilicity of the halide, making it more reactive towards the aromatic ring. The result is the substitution of a hydrogen atom on the aromatic ring with the alkyl or acyl group.
