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Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond / Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution / Problem 1

The electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction rate for indole is 1013 times greater than that of benzene. It often reacts under mild reaction conditions. Substitution in indole occurs preferably at position 3.

Indole reacts with Br+ ion to form a sigma complex in electrophilic aromatic substitution.

Propose a mechanism for the bromination of indole. You do not have to show steps for generating the Br+ ion. You may begin with indole and Br+ ion. Draw resonance forms for each sigma complex.

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