Identify the major product 'Z' in the following sequence of reactions: C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-Br [ ] alc. KOH X HBr Y [ ] aq. KOH Z

Step-by-step solution

The given sequence of reactions proceeds as follows: C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-Br undergoes dehydrohalogenation (elimination) in the presence of alcoholic KOH and heat to form phenylethene (styrene). C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-Br [ ] alc. KOH C₆H₅-CH=CH₂ (X) Phenylethene undergoes electrophilic addition with HBr . According to Markovnikov's rule, the addition proceeds via the more stable benzylic carbocation intermediate, yielding 1-bromo-1-phenylethane. C₆H₅-CH=CH₂ HBr C₆H₅-CH(Br)-CH₃ (Y) 1-bromo-1-phenylethane undergoes nucleophilic substi