Im not really sure how to begin with this question..

Question

1. The synthesis of toluene by the aluminum chloride-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene is badly complicated by the formation of di-, tri-, and polymethylated benzenes. A simple solution to the synthesis of toluene by this method would be to:

A) instead of aluminum chloride use an alternate Lewis acid that will be selective for monoalkylation
B) use a large excess of benzene
C) distill the toluene from the reaction flask as it is formed so it cannot react again
D) increase the amount of aluminum chloride to speed up the reaction

Answer 1

I believe the best answer choice is A. Using more Benzene wouldn't do anything to prevent the formation of undesirable side products. Distillation will remove H2O and wouldn't do anything as well; I do not believe that H2O will react with Toluene, but it will react with benzaldehyde and make benzoic acid. Increasing the amount of catalyst will do nothing but increase the rate at which toluene and the unwanted side products are produce, but nothing else.

Answer 2

Thank you for the feedback but after selecting this option it came up incorrect

Answer 3

The answer may be answer choice B. Answer choice A, in my opinion, is the best answer choice. However, adding more benzene would DECREASE the amount of undesirable side products, but would NOT prevent it. Adding more benzene would not solve the problem, but it would help.