What is the major product of the reaction of benzene with bromine in the presenc
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the major product of the reaction of benzene with bromine in the presence of FeBr3?
Bromobenzene
Benzyl bromide
Phenol
Benzene dibromide
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the major product of the reaction of benzene with bromine in the presence of FeBr3?
Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have benzene (a ring of carbon atoms) and bromine (Br2).
Step 2: Recognize that FeBr3 (iron(III) bromide) is a catalyst that helps the reaction occur.
Step 3: Understand that this reaction is called electrophilic aromatic substitution, where an electrophile (bromine) replaces a hydrogen atom on the benzene ring.
Step 4: The bromine molecule (Br2) interacts with FeBr3 to form a bromonium ion, which is a reactive species.
Step 5: The bromonium ion then attacks the benzene ring, leading to the substitution of one hydrogen atom with a bromine atom.
Step 6: After the substitution, the product formed is bromobenzene, where one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a bromine atom.
Step 7: Conclude that bromobenzene is the major product of this reaction.