Question

Predict the major product of the following reaction, and give a mechanism to support your prediction.

Short answer

The major product of the above reaction is as follows,

Step-by-step solution

Concept

The bromination reaction is the process by which one or more bromine atoms are added to a chemical. Halogination reaction includes bromination reactions. N-bromosuccinimide, also known as NBS (sourse of Br), is employed in this reaction as a reagent to aid in radical substitution.

A free radical is a molecule that lacks charge and has an unpaired electron. Free radicals are extremely reactive substances with a brief shelf life.

Explain the mechanism

1. First, the reagent N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) that produces the bromine radical Br undergoes radical formation.

2. The major product obtained from the ethyl benzene and NBS is benzyl free radical,

3. Abstraction of one hydrogen from a molecule results in the formation of a benzyl free radical, which is resonance stabilized. Now, this benzyl free radical combines with the negligible quantity of NBS once more to produce negligibly tiny bromine molecules, resulting in the bromination of the free radical. Benzyl free radical is brominated with NBS in a free radical reaction.