Question

Aromatic halogenation reactions often proceed in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst. Which of the reactants in this week's bromination reaction could potentially serve as such a catalyst?

Answer 1

Answer: Benzene would act as Catalyst (C6H6)

Explanation:

While alkene undergo an addition reaction when treated with bromine, benzene is inert under the same conditions.

After the electrophilic attack of bromide to the benzene, the hydrogen on the same carbon act as bromine, substitutes the carbocation in which resulted from the attack. Hence, it being an electrophilic aromatic SUBSTITUTION. Benzene serves as our catalyst in the halogenation.