Question

Electrophilic bromination of an equimolar mixture of methylbenzene (toluene) and (trifluoromethyl)benzene with one equivalent of bromine gives exclusively 1-bromo-2-methylbenzene and 1-bromo-4-methylbenzene.

1. Explain why none of the (trifluoromethyl)benzene reacts

2. Explain the regiochemical outcome of the reaction In other words, why are 1-bromo-2-methylbenzene and 1-bromo-4-methylbenzene formed from the toluene?

Answer 1