Question

Reaxtion of Benzene with HCl/ZnCl2/MeCN which further gives iodoform test

Answer 1

The product of the reaction sequence is Acetophenone, and it gives a positive iodoform test (formation of yellow precipitate of CHI3).

Answer 2

Benzene reacts with acetonitrile (MeCN) in the presence of HCl and ZnCl2 via an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism. This reaction forms an imine intermediate, which upon hydrolysis yields Acetophenone (C6H5COCH3). Acetophenone contains a methyl ketone group (CH3CO-), which is the required structural feature for a positive iodoform test. The iodoform test involves reaction with iodine and a base (like NaOH or KOH) to produce a yellow precipitate of iodoform (CHI3). Since the product of the reaction sequence is Acetophenone and it contains the CH3CO- group, it gives a positive iodoform test, confirming the structure.