Substitution reactions SEAr mechanism

In some instances, especially with the oxygen and sulfur heterocycles, the overall reaction leading to a substituted product does not involve an SEAr mechanism but proceeds by an addition followed by elimination sequence, as outlined for the bromination of coumarin in equation (4). The choice of experimental conditions can affect the outcome of the reaction, as illustrated in the formation of (114) and (115) in Section 3.2.1.4.7. 

The mechanisms of the Gattermann and Gattermann-Koch formylation belong to the category of electrophilic aromatic substitution (SEAr) but are not known in detail, since they have a tendency to vary from one substrate to another, and the reaction conditions may also play a role. When carbon monoxide is used, the electrophilic species is believed to be the formyl cation, which is attacked by the aromatic ring to form a -complex. This -complex is then converted to the aromatic aldehyde upon losing a proton. When HCN is used, the initial product after the SEAr reaction is an imine hydrochloride, which is subsequently hydrolyzed to the product aldehyde. 

---