Question

Anhydrous $AlCl_3$ is used in Friedel-Crafts reaction because it is
(A) Soluble in ether
(B) Ionisable to Al and Cl ions
(C) Electron rich
(D) Electron deficient molecule

Answer 1

Hint : $AlCl_3$ behaves as a Lewis acid in the Friedel-Crafts reaction, which enables the reaction to go forward. It is a catalyst in this reaction. The Friedel-Crafts reaction is a set of reactions where an alkyl or acyl group is added to a benzene molecule by an electrophilic aromatic substitution.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The electrophile attacks the pi electrons to form a nonaromatic carbocation.
For this reaction to occur, an electron acceptor is required.
Anhydrous $AlCl_3$ ionises to form $Al^(3+)$ and $3Cl^-$ ions. Therefore, it is capable of accepting electrons and acts as a Lewis acid.
A Lewis acid is any substance that can accept a pair of nonbonding electrons. It is an electron-pair acceptor. Such as $AlCl_3$ in this question.
Being an electron-acceptor implies that there are vacant spots available in the shell of $AlCl_3$ for it to accept electrons. Thus, it is electron deficient.
$AlCl_3$ accepts Cl and converts to $AlCl_4^-$ therefore the organic compound from which Cl had been removed becomes an electrophile.
An electrophile is a molecule that forms a bond to its nucleophile by accepting both bonding electrons from that reaction partner (nucleophile).
Therefore, for this question, the correct answer is (D). $AlCl_3$ is used in Friedel-Crafts reaction because it is an electron deficient molecule.

Note :
In contrast, Lewis bases are substances that donate a pair of nonbonding electrons. Such questions can be tricky to answer as they are very specific. But, by knowing the organic compound reactions – such as Friedel-Crafts reaction – such questions can be answered. Also, thoroughly learn about the various reagents used/recommended for such specific organic compound reactions mentioned in the text.