Question:

For the given reaction

What is 'A'?

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Br2/UV light is free-radical halogenation: it brominates the most stable (benzylic) C-H, not the ring.
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The substrate is 3-ethylbenzonitrile (an ethyl group and a CN group meta on the benzene ring).
Br2 with UV light proceeds by a free radical chain mechanism at the side chain, not by electrophilic substitution on the ring.
The benzylic hydrogen (on the CH2 attached to the ring) is abstracted, because the benzylic radical is resonance stabilised.
The radical then abstracts Br from Br2 to give 1-bromo-1-(3-cyanophenyl)ethane, i.e. the ring with CH(Br)CH3 and CN meta.
Options (2), (3), (4) are ring-brominated products and are not formed under UV light.
Answer: (1) 3-(1-bromoethyl)benzonitrile
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