What is the major product of the electrophilic substitution of toluene with bromine in the presence of FeBr3?

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Q: What is the major product of the electrophilic substitution of toluene with bromine in the presence of FeBr3?

Solution: Toluene is more reactive than benzene due to the electron-donating methyl group, leading to bromotoluene as the major product.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Identify the starting material, which is toluene (C7H8). Toluene has a benzene ring with a methyl group (CH3) attached.
Step 2: Recognize that toluene is more reactive than benzene because the methyl group donates electrons to the benzene ring, making it easier for the ring to react.
Step 3: Understand that the reaction involves electrophilic substitution, where bromine (Br2) is the electrophile and FeBr3 is a catalyst that helps generate the active bromine species.
Step 4: The electrophilic bromine attacks the benzene ring, replacing one hydrogen atom with a bromine atom. This forms bromotoluene.
Step 5: Determine the major product. Since the methyl group is ortho/para directing, the bromine will most likely attach to the carbon that is either next to the methyl group (ortho position) or directly across from it (para position).
Step 6: Conclude that the major product of the reaction is bromotoluene, specifically the para-bromotoluene, due to steric factors.