Question

Toluene reacts with bromine in the presence of the light to give benzyl bromide, while in presence of `FeBr_(3)` it gives p-bromotoluene. Give explanation for the above observation.

Answer 1

This reaction is based on the free radical substituion concept. i.e., it is completed in the form of free radical mechanism.
So, in the presence of sunlight, the substition takes place fromt the side chain while in the presence of `FeBr_(3)`, teh substituion takes place from the benzene mucules.