An organic compound \(\mathrm{X}\) having the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{O}\) is soluble in \(\mathrm{NaOH}\). When treated with bromine water, \(X\) gives a compound \(Y\) having the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{OBr}_{2}\). The oxidation of compound \(\mathrm{X}\) with alkaline \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\) followed by acidification gives \(\mathrm{Z}\left(\mathrm{MF}: \mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}_{3}\right)\) which is steam volatile. The compound \(\mathrm{X}\) is (a) anisole (b) benzyl alcohol (c) o-cresol (d) \(\mathrm{p}\) -cresol

The bromination reaction is an important chemical process where a bromine atom is introduced to an organic molecule. It's a type of halogenation reaction, which is widely utilized in organic synthesis to modify chemical compounds by adding halogens.

One of the hallmarks of bromination is its specificity; the reaction typically occurs at specific positions within the organic molecules. For example, in the context of aromatic compounds, electrophilic aromatic substitution allows bromine to attach to positions on the benzene ring that are activated by substituents like hydroxyl (-OH) or methoxy (-OCH3) groups.

This kind of reaction requires a catalyst, such as iron (III) bromide (FeBr3), to proceed, as bromine alone is usually not reactive enough to brominate an aromatic ring. In the exercise, the compound X has two positions where bromination can occur, resulting in the formation of compound Y with two bromine atoms, implying that X is an aromatic compound with activating groups at ortho or para positions.

Acid-base reactions are a fundamental aspect of organic chemistry. These reactions involve the transfer of a proton (H+) from an acid to a base. In organic chemistry, acidic substances typically have a hydrogen atom that can be donated, such as the hydrogen in a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to an aromatic ring.

In our exercise, we are presented with an organic compound X that is soluble in sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This solubility suggests that the compound can undergo an acid-base reaction with NaOH, a strong base. The solubility is due to the deprotonation of the acidic hydrogen atom (from the hydroxyl group) to form a water-soluble salt. Anisole, with a methoxy group, lacks such an acidic hydrogen and therefore does not dissolve in NaOH. On the contrary, benzyl alcohol, o-cresol, and p-cresol possess an acidic hydrogen but differ in their reactivity and the position of their hydroxyl groups.

Oxidation reactions in organic chemistry involve the increase of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen. These reactions are essential for transforming certain organic functional groups into more oxidized forms, such as converting alcohols to ketones or aldehydes, or further to carboxylic acids.

In the exercise, compound X is oxidized with alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4), leading to the formation of compound Z. Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidizing agent, especially under alkaline conditions, and it’s often employed to oxidize secondary alcohols to ketones and primary alcohols or aliphatic side chains to carboxylic acids.

The steam volatility of the product Z hints at its molecular structure, as the presence or absence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding can significantly affect volatility. The analysis of the oxidation products from o-cresol and p-cresol underlines the importance of understanding molecular structure and potential intermolecular interactions when predicting chemical behavior and properties, such as volatility in the context of steam distillation.