What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the electrophilic substit
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the electrophilic substitution of 1,2-dimethylbenzene (o-xylene)?
R
S
R and S
None
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the stereochemistry of the product formed from the electrophilic substitution of 1,2-dimethylbenzene (o-xylene)?
Step 1: Understand that 1,2-dimethylbenzene (o-xylene) is a benzene ring with two methyl groups attached to adjacent carbon atoms.
Step 2: Recognize that electrophilic substitution involves an electrophile attacking the benzene ring, replacing one hydrogen atom.
Step 3: Identify that the position where the electrophile attacks can lead to different spatial arrangements (stereochemistry) of the product.
Step 4: Note that the two methyl groups can create different configurations (R and S) depending on how the electrophile approaches the ring.
Step 5: Conclude that the product can have both R and S configurations due to the influence of the two methyl groups on the orientation of the incoming electrophile.
