Toluene, when treated with `Br_(2)Fe`, gives o and p-bromotoluene, because the `CH_(3)` group-

Options

A. is ortho and para directing
B. is meta directing
C. deactivates the ring by hyperconjugation
D. deactivates the ring

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction of toluene with `Br2Fe`, we need to analyze the structure of toluene and the effects of the `CH3` (methyl) group on the benzene ring. Here is a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Toluene
Toluene is a methyl-substituted benzene, which can be represented as follows:
- The benzene ring has six carbon atoms and is denoted as C6H5.
- The methyl group (CH3) is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the benzene ring.

### Step 2: Identify the Effects of the Methyl Group
The methyl group is an electron-donating group due to its +I (inductive) effect and hyperconjugation. This means:
- The methyl group increases the electron density on the benzene ring.
- It activates the ring towards electrophilic substitution reactions.

### Step 3: Determine the Directing Effects
In electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, substituents can be classified as ortho/para-directing or meta-directing:
- The methyl group is ortho/para-directing because it stabilizes the carbocation intermediate formed during the reaction at the ortho and para positions relative to itself.

### Step 4: Reaction with `Br2Fe`
When toluene is treated with bromine in the presence of iron (Fe), the following occurs:
- The bromine acts as an electrophile.
- Due to the ortho/para-directing nature of the methyl group, bromination occurs predominantly at the ortho and para positions.

### Step 5: Conclusion
The reaction of toluene with `Br2Fe` results in the formation of o-bromotoluene and p-bromotoluene. The methyl group does not deactivate the ring; rather, it activates it and directs the incoming bromine to the ortho and para positions.

### Final Answer
Toluene, when treated with `Br2Fe`, gives o-bromotoluene and p-bromotoluene because the `CH3` group is ortho/para-directing.

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