Problems and exercisesAlkylarenes
1. Side-chain reactions
Give the product of the reaction of ethylbenzene with: a) NBS and light; b) hot KMnO4 and then H3O+; c) Br2/FeBr3.
2. Solvolysis
Why does benzyl chloride, a primary halide, react with water much faster than 1-chloropropane?
3. Acidity of toluene
The pKa of toluene is 41 and that of methane about 50. Why is toluene more acidic? Which base can deprotonate it?