Consider the structures given below.Which of them would be a relatively stable contributor to the hybrid formed when toluene undergoes para bromination?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Para-bromination of toluene involves the electrophilic substitution of a bromine atom at the para-position of the aromatic ring. The intermediate formed during this reaction is a sigma complex, which must then form a carbocation intermediate before the final product is obtained by deprotonation.

Out of the five given resonance structures, structure III is the most stable as it has the highest number of resonating structures. In this structure, the positive charge is delocalized over the benzene ring through resonance, resulting in a stabilized carbocation intermediate. Therefore, III is the most stable contributor to the hybrid formed during para-bromination of toluene.

Consider the Structures Given Below