Acylium Ion Formation
The acylium ion is a resonance-stabilized cation formed from acyl compounds, such as acyl chlorides or acid anhydrides. In the presence of a Lewis acid like AlCl3, the carbonyl carbon of the acyl compound becomes electrophilic, allowing for the generation of the acylium ion. This ion is crucial in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, particularly in Friedel-Crafts acylation.