Question

Can Benzoic acid undergo Friedel-crafts reaction?

Answer 1

Friedel-crafts reaction:

1. Friedel-crafts reaction is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction in which an alkyl group is substituted on the benzene ring.
2. For the Friedel-crafts reaction, the benzene ring should have a high density of electrons to undergo substitution.
3. But, in benzoic acid due to electron-withdrawing $\left(-\mathrm{COOH}\right)$ group, the ring becomes positively charged.
4. Hence, the carboxylic group deactivates the benzene ring.
5. So, benzoic acid does not undergo a Friedel-craft reaction.