Which of the following species attacks the benzene ring in this reaction when chlorobenzene is formed by reaction of chlorine with benzene in the presence of `AlCl_(3)`

Options

A. `AlCl_(3)`
B. `Cl^(+)`
C. `Cl^(-)`
D. `[AICl_(3)]`

Explanation

To solve the question of which species attacks the benzene ring when chlorobenzene is formed by the reaction of chlorine with benzene in the presence of AlCl₃, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Reaction Context**:
- The reaction involves benzene (C₆H₆) and chlorine (Cl₂) in the presence of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). This is a classic example of electrophilic aromatic substitution.

**Hint**: Identify the reactants and the role of the catalyst (AlCl₃) in the reaction.

2. **Identify the Role of AlCl₃**:
- Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) acts as a Lewis acid. It accepts electron pairs and helps to generate a more reactive species from chlorine.

**Hint**: Recall that Lewis acids are electron-deficient and can facilitate the generation of electrophiles.

3. **Formation of the Electrophile**:
- In the presence of AlCl₃, chlorine (Cl₂) can dissociate to form a positively charged chlorine ion (Cl⁺) and a negatively charged complex (AlCl₄⁻). The reaction can be summarized as:
\[ Cl_2 + AlCl_3 \rightarrow Cl^+ + AlCl_4^- \]

**Hint**: Consider how the bond between the two chlorine atoms can break to form charged species.

4. **Electrophilic Attack on Benzene**:
- The benzene ring, being electron-rich, donates its electrons to the positively charged chlorine ion (Cl⁺). This results in the substitution of one hydrogen atom in the benzene ring with a chlorine atom, forming chlorobenzene (C₆H₅Cl).

**Hint**: Remember that electrophiles seek electrons, and benzene's structure allows it to participate in such reactions.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The species that attacks the benzene ring in this reaction is the positively charged chlorine ion (Cl⁺).

**Final Answer**: Cl⁺ is the species that attacks the benzene ring to form chlorobenzene.

### Summary of the Answer:
The species that attacks the benzene ring in the reaction to form chlorobenzene is Cl⁺.