In the nitration of toluene, which product is formed predominantly?
Practice Questions
Q1
In the nitration of toluene, which product is formed predominantly?
Nitrotoluene (ortho)
Nitrotoluene (para)
Dinitrotoluene
Benzyl nitrite
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In the nitration of toluene, which product is formed predominantly?
Step 1: Understand that toluene is a benzene ring with a methyl group (CH3) attached to it.
Step 2: Know that nitration is a chemical reaction where a nitro group (NO2) is added to the benzene ring.
Step 3: Recognize that the nitro group can attach to two main positions on the toluene: the ortho position (next to the methyl group) and the para position (across from the methyl group).
Step 4: Consider steric hindrance, which means that the presence of the methyl group makes it harder for the nitro group to attach at the ortho position because they are close together.
Step 5: Conclude that because of this steric hindrance, the nitro group is more likely to attach at the para position, leading to the formation of para-nitrotoluene as the predominant product.
