Step 1:
Ethylbenzene on oxidation with alkaline KMnO₄ gives benzoic acid (-COOH).
Step 2:
Benzoic acid undergoes electrophilic bromination.
The -COOH group is meta-directing, so bromination occurs at meta position.
Step 3:
Treatment with ethanol in acidic medium gives esterification.
Step 4:
Final product is ethyl meta-bromobenzoate.