Identify 'A' in the following reaction. A + chloromethane [ AlCl ₃] Anhydrous 1 -chlorotoluene +4 -chlorotoluene

Step-by-step solution

The Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction proceeds with chloromethane and anhydrous AlCl₃ catalyst to yield 1-chlorotoluene and 4-chlorotoluene isomers. In this electrophilic substitution, the methyl carbocation CH₃^+ attacks the aromatic ring. For benzene, methylation produces toluene rather than chlorotoluenes, eliminating option A. Toluene yields xylene isomers upon methylation, while phenol produces cresols, eliminating options C and D. Chlorobenzene undergoes methylation at ortho and para positions relative to th