Question

Toluene is subjected to the action of the following reagents in the order given: (1) KMnO4,OH-, heat; then H3O (2) HNO3, H2SO4 (3) Br2, FeBr3 What is the final product of this sequence?

Answer 1

Answer:

See image attached

Explanation:

The reaction of toluene with alkaline potassium permanganate in the presence of heat leads to the oxidation of the -CH3 to give benzoic acid.

Reaction benzoic acid with HNO3/H2SO4 yields the nitronium ion (NO2+).

Recall that -COOH is a metal director and deactivated the ring towards electrophilic substitution hence the m-nitrobenzoic acid is formed.

Reaction with FeBr3/Br2 yields the product shown in the image attached.