Reaction mechanism of desulphonation of benzene ring using dil. #"HCl"# and, #"H"_2"SO"_4//150^@c# "?"
1 Answer
Jun 7, 2018
Here's what I get.
Explanation:
The sulfonation of benzene is a reversible reaction.
Thus, we can remove a sulfonic acid group by heating the compound with an acid.
The reaction with steam alone is often sufficient for desulfonation.
The mechanism of desulfonation
Step 1. Attack by an electrophile
A hydronium ion protonates the aromatic ring and generates a resonance-stabilized carbocation intermediate.
Step 2. Desulfonation
A base deprotonates the sulfonic acid, and the sulfur trioxide leaves, regenerating the aromatic ring.
