CAIE A-Level Chemistry 30.1.3 Ring and Side-Chain Halogenation
Practise predicting whether methylbenzene halogenates on the aromatic ring or alkyl side-chain from conditions.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Chemistry 9701
- Level
- A2
Practise predicting whether methylbenzene halogenates on the aromatic ring or alkyl side-chain from conditions.
Benzene can be used to make benzoic acid in the two-step process shown in Fig. 7.1.

Fig. 7.1
When treated with Cl2 under suitable conditions, methylbenzene forms compound J .
When treated with Cl2 under different conditions with different reagents, methylbenzene forms compound K.
Suggest and draw structures of compounds J and K in the boxes. The molecular formula of each compound is given.

State the reagents and conditions required to form each product.
to form compound J
to form compound K

Mark J and K together.
J or K [1]
J or K
[1]