Question

Toluene reacts with chlorine in the presence of light to give :

• A. Benzyl chloride
• B. Benzoyl chloride
• C. p-chloro toluene
• D. o-chloro toluene

Answer 1

The correct option is A Benzyl chloride

The reaction happens between methylbenzene and chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light - typically sunlight. This is a good example of a photochemical reaction - a reaction brought about by light.

The organic product is (chloromethyl)benzene. The brackets in the name emphasise that the chlorine is part of the attached methyl group, and isn't on the ring.

One of the hydrogen atoms in the methyl group has been replaced by a chlorine atom, so this is a substitution reaction. However, the reaction doesn't stop there, and all three hydrogens in the methyl group can in turn be replaced by chlorine atoms.