Question

Which products would actually form in the reaction shown above?

A. I
B. III
C. II
D. I and II

Answer 1

m-bromotoluene reacts with ${\text{NaOH}}$ at an elevated temperature of ${300^ \circ }{\text{C}}$. In the reaction, the nucleophile ${\text{O}}{{\text{H}}^ - }$ substitutes the ${\text{Br}}$ atom attached to an aromatic ring. Thus, the reaction is an aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction.
${\text{NaOH}}$ is a very strong base. Thus, the reaction occurs in a strongly basic medium. Thus, the reaction occurs through formation of benzyne as an intermediate.

Complete step by step answer:
In the reaction, m-bromotoluene reacts with ${\text{NaOH}}$ at an elevated temperature of ${300^ \circ }{\text{C}}$.
In the reaction, the nucleophile ${\text{O}}{{\text{H}}^ - }$ substitutes the ${\text{Br}}$ atom attached to an aromatic ring. Thus, the reaction is an aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction.
${\text{NaOH}}$ is a very strong base. Thus, the reaction occurs in a strongly basic medium. Thus, the reaction occurs through formation of benzyne as an intermediate.
The mechanism of the reaction is as follows:

Thus, the product formed in the reaction of m-bromotoluene is 4-hydroxytoluene.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Additional Information: Benzyne is a derivative of an aromatic ring. Benzyne is formed by removing two substituents from the aromatic ring. Benzyne contains non-linear triple bonds. Thus, benzyne is highly strained. and is highly reactive.
Benzyne is very unstable in nature and can be attacked by nucleophiles at any end.

Note: In the reaction, strong base ${\text{NaOH}}$ is used. Thus, the reaction occurs in a strongly basic medium. Strong basic medium indicates that the reaction will proceed via formation of benzyne intermediate.
Benzyne is a derivative of an aromatic ring formed by removal of two substituents. The structure of benzyne is similar to that of benzene with on additional $\pi$-bond.