The major product of the following reaction is :
`C_6H_5CH_2-undersetunderset(Br)(|)oversetoverset(CH_3)(|)C-CH_2CH_3underset(C_2H_5OH)overset(C_2H_5ONa)to`

Options

A. `C_6H_5CH_2-undersetunderset(CH_3)(|)C=CHCH_3`
B. `C_6H_5CH_2-undersetunderset(CH_2CH_3)(|)C=CH_2`
C. `C_6H_5CH_2-underset(OC_2H_5)underset(|)overset(CH_3)overset(|)C-CH_2CH_3`
D. `C_6H_5CH=undersetunderset(CH_3)(|)C-CH_2CH_3`

Answer

To determine the major product of the given reaction, we will analyze the reaction step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactant is an alkyl bromide, specifically:
- C6H5CH2Br (benzyl bromide) attached to a carbon chain (C-CH2CH3).

### Step 2: Understand the Reagents
The reagents used are:
- Sodium ethoxide (C2H5ONa), which is a strong base.
- Ethanol (C2H5OH), which acts as a solvent.

### Step 3: Recognize the Type of Reaction
This reaction is a beta-elimination reaction (dehydrohalogenation). In this type of reaction, a hydrogen atom and a halogen atom (in this case, bromine) are eliminated from adjacent carbon atoms.

### Step 4: Identify Beta Hydrogens
In the structure of the reactant, we identify the beta hydrogens. The beta hydrogens are those on the carbon adjacent to the carbon bonded to the bromine. In this case, the beta hydrogens are located on the carbon chain (C-CH2CH3).

### Step 5: Determine the Most Acidic Beta Hydrogen
Among the beta hydrogens, we need to determine which one is the most acidic. The presence of the phenyl group (C6H5) exerts a -I (inductive) effect, making the hydrogen on the carbon adjacent to the bromine more acidic compared to the others.

### Step 6: Elimination Reaction
Sodium ethoxide (C2H5O-) will abstract the most acidic beta hydrogen, while bromine (Br-) leaves as a good leaving group. This results in the formation of a double bond between the carbon that was attached to the bromine and the carbon from which the hydrogen was removed.

### Step 7: Draw the Product
After the elimination, we will have:
- C6H5CH=CH2 (the double bond is formed between the carbon that was attached to bromine and the adjacent carbon).

### Step 8: Identify the Major Product
The major product of this reaction is:
- C6H5CH=CH2 (styrene).

### Conclusion
Thus, the major product of the reaction is C6H5CH=CH2.

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