In trying to understand the expected product for the following compound, acenaphthene,

you need to first understand the expected product for acylation of naphthalene.


Naphthalene preferably undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution at the alpha-position

Question: Why is the alpha-attack favored over the beta-attack for naphthalene? Look at the arenium ion formed for both attacks and determine which is most stable.