[kgkranz]

I'm struggling with one last question on my Ochem II homework. The question is "choose the reagents from the table to form propylbenzene"

http://www.webassign.net/userimages/kasandbe@ncsu/CH221_ssii_02/Reagent_Table.pdf

I thought it was DD on the reagent table but realized there would be a hydride shift to get rid of the primary carbocation and the product would be isopropylbenzene instead of propyl.

Any guidance? its due in 3 hours and I'm lost...

[macman104]

You are on the right track using some sort of Friedel-Crafts reaction.  You've chosen a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, but there is another version.  It has a functional group to direct the reaction without a rearrangement.  However, it will require 1 more set of reagents after that step to result in your final product.

Look back in your book, where they talk about Friedel-Crafts, and do you see other variants that might be helpful, and match a possible reagent?

EDIT:  Just realized "due in 3 hours", and I'm way past it.  If you still want to try it, give it a shot though

[kgkranz]

I figured it out before it was due

It was CH3CH2COCl, AlCl3 and Zn(Hg), HCl . Thanks for the help though!