The reaction of toluene with `CI_(2)` in presence of `FeCI_(3)` gives predominantly

Options

A. benzoyl chloride
B. benzyl chloride
C. m-chlorotoluene
D. a mixture of o- and p- chlorotoluenes.

Answer

To determine the predominant product of the reaction of toluene with Cl2 in the presence of FeCl3, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**: The reactants in this reaction are toluene (C6H5CH3) and chlorine (Cl2), with iron(III) chloride (FeCl3) acting as a catalyst.

2. **Understand the Mechanism**: The presence of FeCl3 indicates that this is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. FeCl3 helps generate a more reactive electrophile (Cl+) from Cl2.

3. **Recognize the Directing Effects**: The methyl group (–CH3) in toluene is an ortho-para directing group. This means that during the substitution reaction, chlorine can attach to either the ortho position (adjacent to the methyl group) or the para position (opposite the methyl group) on the benzene ring.

4. **Predict the Products**: The possible products from the chlorination of toluene are:
- Ortho-chlorotoluene (Cl attached at the ortho position)
- Para-chlorotoluene (Cl attached at the para position)

5. **Consider the Ratio of Products**: In aromatic substitution reactions, ortho and para products are typically formed, but the para product is often favored due to steric hindrance at the ortho position. However, both products will be present in the reaction.

6. **Evaluate the Given Options**: The options provided are:
- Benzoil chloride
- Meta-chlorotoluene
- A mixture of ortho and para chlorotoluene

7. **Eliminate Incorrect Options**:
- Benzoil chloride is not a product of this reaction as it involves a different functional group.
- Meta-chlorotoluene is not formed because the methyl group directs substitution to the ortho and para positions, not the meta position.

8. **Conclusion**: The predominant products of the reaction will be a mixture of ortho-chlorotoluene and para-chlorotoluene.

### Final Answer:
The reaction of toluene with Cl2 in the presence of FeCl3 predominantly gives a mixture of ortho and para chlorotoluene.

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