Identify major product 'P' formed in the following reaction.

CONCEPT:

Friedel-Crafts Acylation

• Friedel-Crafts acylation is a reaction where an acyl group (RCO-) is introduced to an aromatic ring (such as benzene) using an acyl chloride (RCOCl) and a Lewis acid (usually AlCl₃).
• This reaction is an electrophilic aromatic substitution in which the acyl group replaces a hydrogen atom on the aromatic ring.
• The AlCl₃ acts as a catalyst and helps in the generation of the acylium ion (RCO⁺), which is a highly electrophilic species that attacks the aromatic ring.

EXPLANATION:

• In the given reaction:

  C₆H₆ + RCOCl → C₆H₅CO-R

• • The acyl chloride (RCOCl) reacts with AlCl₃ to form the acylium ion (RCO⁺), which then attacks the benzene ring.
• The mechanism of the reaction involves:
  • Generation of the acylium ion (RCO⁺) by the interaction of acyl chloride with AlCl₃.
  • Attack of the acylium ion on the benzene ring to form the intermediate complex.
  • Loss of a proton from the intermediate complex results in the final product, an aryl ketone (C₆H₅CO-R).

Therefore, the major product 'P' formed in the reaction is an aryl ketone (C₆H₅CO-R).