Chapter 18, Problem 18.50P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: An explanation corresponding to the given statement that ethyl 3-phenylpropanoate $\left({\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ reacts with electrophiles to afford ortho- and para-disubstituted arenes, whereas ethyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate $\left({\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}\text{CH}={\text{CHCO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ reacts with electrophiles to afford meta-disubstituted arenes is to be stated.

Concept introduction: The replacement or substitution of one functional group with another different functional group in any chemical reaction is termed as substitution reaction. The electron deficient chemical species that contains positive charge are known as electrophile. In electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, electrophile takes the position of hydrogen atom by attacking the electron rich carbon atom of benzene.