The compound shown is treated with acetyl chloride and AlCl3 (Friedel-Crafts acylation). What is the outcome?

No appreciable reaction, because the ring is strongly deactivated

3-Acetylbenzonitrile is the major product

4-Acetylbenzonitrile is the major product

No appreciable reaction, because the ring is strongly deactivated

Acylation takes place on the nitrile carbon to give a ketone

JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o2267

The compound shown is treated with acetyl chloride and $AlCl X_{3}$ (Friedel-Crafts acylation). What is the outcome?

The compound is benzonitrile. The cyano group is strongly electron-withdrawing and deactivating, and it also complexes with

AlCl X_{3}

. Friedel-Crafts acylation does not proceed on rings that carry strongly deactivating groups such as

- CN

- NO X_{2}

- COR

, so essentially no reaction occurs.