Friedel-Crafts alkylation is a chemical reaction that introduces an alkyl group into an aromatic compound, typically using an alkyl halide and a strong Lewis acid catalyst, such as aluminum chloride. This process allows for the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds, enhancing the complexity of organic molecules. The reaction proceeds through the generation of a reactive carbocation from the alkyl halide, which then attacks the aromatic ring. This results in the substitution of a hydrogen atom on the ring with the alkyl group, creating a new alkyl-substituted aromatic compound.