3. In the bromination of ethylbenzene (using Br2, FeBr3), the para path features the following intermediate arenium ion resonance structures. Which is most stable, and why? (Circle one and write.) Br Br Br

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**Question:**
In the bromination of ethylbenzene (using Br2, FeBr3), the *para* path features the following intermediate arenium ion resonance structures. Which is most stable, and why? (Circle one and write.)

**Image Description:**
The image shows three resonance structures of the arenium ion formed during the para bromination of ethylbenzene. Each structure has a positively charged carbon atom at different positions on the benzene ring. 

1. The first structure has the positive charge ortho to the bromine atom (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and a positive charge is on the carbon adjacent to it.)
   
2. The second structure has the positive charge in the meta position (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and a positive charge is located two carbons away from the bromine atom.)

3. The third structure shows the positive charge para to the bromine atom (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and the positive charge is located three carbons away from the bromine atom.)

**Explanation:**
- The structures can be described as follows:
  - In structure 1, the positive charge is adjacent to (ortho and para positions relative to) the ethyl group.
  - In structure 2, the positive charge is located one carbon away from the ethyl group.
  - In structure 3, the positive charge is located furthest from the ethyl group.

**Stability Considerations:**
- The stability of resonance structures can be influenced by the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing effects of substituents on the benzene ring.
- The ethyl group is an electron-donating group (EDG) through inductive effects and hyperconjugation, which stabilizes positive charges situated ortho and para to it.

Therefore, the most stable resonance structure in this context is the one where the positive charge is ortho or para to the ethyl group because these positions benefit the most from the electron-donating effects of the ethyl group.

Among the given options, the structure with the positive charge in the ortho position relative to the ethyl group (structure 1) is the most stable. 

- **Answer Key:**
  - Circle structure 1.
  - Write: "The most stable structure is the one where the positive charge is
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** In the bromination of ethylbenzene (using Br2, FeBr3), the *para* path features the following intermediate arenium ion resonance structures. Which is most stable, and why? (Circle one and write.) **Image Description:** The image shows three resonance structures of the arenium ion formed during the para bromination of ethylbenzene. Each structure has a positively charged carbon atom at different positions on the benzene ring. 1. The first structure has the positive charge ortho to the bromine atom (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and a positive charge is on the carbon adjacent to it.) 2. The second structure has the positive charge in the meta position (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and a positive charge is located two carbons away from the bromine atom.) 3. The third structure shows the positive charge para to the bromine atom (Bromine is attached to carbon, which is bonded to a hydrogen atom and the positive charge is located three carbons away from the bromine atom.) **Explanation:** - The structures can be described as follows: - In structure 1, the positive charge is adjacent to (ortho and para positions relative to) the ethyl group. - In structure 2, the positive charge is located one carbon away from the ethyl group. - In structure 3, the positive charge is located furthest from the ethyl group. **Stability Considerations:** - The stability of resonance structures can be influenced by the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing effects of substituents on the benzene ring. - The ethyl group is an electron-donating group (EDG) through inductive effects and hyperconjugation, which stabilizes positive charges situated ortho and para to it. Therefore, the most stable resonance structure in this context is the one where the positive charge is ortho or para to the ethyl group because these positions benefit the most from the electron-donating effects of the ethyl group. Among the given options, the structure with the positive charge in the ortho position relative to the ethyl group (structure 1) is the most stable. - **Answer Key:** - Circle structure 1. - Write: "The most stable structure is the one where the positive charge is
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