Benzene can be converted to its derivative toluene by the addition of a methyl group. The reaction is an example of

Benzene can be converted to its derivative toluene by the addition of a methyl group. The reaction is an example of

Answer Details

The reaction where benzene is converted to toluene by the addition of a methyl group is an example of electrophilic substitution. In electrophilic substitution reactions, a hydrogen atom in the benzene ring is replaced by an electrophile (electron deficient species) to form a new compound.

Here, the methyl group is the electrophile that replaces one of the hydrogen atoms in the benzene ring, resulting in the formation of toluene.

During the reaction, the benzene ring undergoes a series of steps:

1. An electrophile, in this case, the methyl group, is attracted to the electron-rich benzene ring.
2. The electrophile forms a bond with one of the carbon atoms in the benzene ring, breaking the aromaticity of the ring.
3. This leads to the formation of a sigma complex, where the electrophile is attached to the benzene ring.
4. Finally, the sigma complex is converted back into an aromatic compound by the loss of a proton, resulting in the formation of toluene.

Therefore, the addition of a methyl group to benzene to form toluene is an example of electrophilic substitution.