Question

draw the resonance struture of the three possible carbocation intermediates to show how a methoxyl ( -OCH3) directs bromination toward ortho and para positions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

It is clear that certain substituted benzene compounds reacts faster than benzene during electrophillic substitution reactions. This owes to the activation of the benzene ring towards electrophillic substitution by resonance.

The -OCH3 group is ortho- para directing hence it directs an incoming electrophile (such as during bromination) to the ortho or para position as shown in the image attached. This occurs due to resonance (mesomeric) effect as shown in the image attached to this answer.

Image credit: pinterest