Acid Catalyzed addition of ICl to 3-methylcyclohexane.

3-methylcyclohexane is an incorrect name. Could it be 3-methylcyclohexene?

The acid-catalyzed addition of ICl to 3-methylcyclohexane involves the addition of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and iodine (I2) to 3-methylcyclohexane with the presence of an acid catalyst. This reaction is an example of electrophilic addition.

To understand how this reaction occurs, you need to examine the mechanism step by step.

1. The acid catalyst, typically sulfuric acid (H2SO4), protonates the hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form hydronium ions (H3O+). This makes the HCl molecule more acidic.

2. The protonated HCl attacks the iodine (I2) molecule, resulting in the formation of a chloronium ion (I+Cl-). This step is the rate-determining step of the reaction.

3. The chloronium ion then adds to the double bond of 3-methylcyclohexene, resulting in the formation of a cyclic ion intermediate. This step is known as the electrophilic addition.

4. The cyclic ion intermediate is then protonated by an H3O+ ion from the acid catalyst, forming a protonated cyclohexyl carbocation.

5. The carbocation then reacts with the chloride ion (Cl-) from the chloronium ion, leading to the formation of 3-chloromethylcyclohexane.

Overall, the acid-catalyzed addition of ICl to 3-methylcyclohexane results in the replacement of an H atom in the cyclohexane ring with a chlorine atom, forming 3-chloromethylcyclohexane.

It is important to note that this is a simplified explanation, and the reaction may involve additional steps or intermediates. Additionally, different reaction conditions can yield different products or isomeric forms.