Answer:
The reaction of FeBr3/Br2 with benzaldehyde will yield a major product in which the -Br is attached to the benzaldehyde at the meta position.
Explanation:
In chemistry, resonance is a way of describing bonding in certain molecules or ions by the combination of several contributing structures into a resonance hybrid in valence bond theory. Resonance structures often explain the formation of certain major and minor products in organic chemistry reactions.
Aromatic aldehydes and ketones undergo electrophilic substitution reactions such as nitration, sulphonation and halogenation. Since the aldehydic group (-CHO) and ketonic group (-COR or -COAr) are electron-withdrawing, they are deactivating and m-directing.
In benzaldehyde, the ring becomes deactivated at ortho & para positions due to an electron withdrawing aldehyde group. Hence electrophilic substitution is favored at Meta position.
This implies that the reaction of FeBr3/Br2 with benzaldehyde will yield a major product in which the -Br is attached to the benzaldehyde at the meta position.
