What is the main product when toluene is nitrated?

What is the main product when toluene is nitrated?

Correct Answer: Nitrotoluene

Step 1: Understand what nitration means. Nitration is a chemical reaction where a nitro group (NO2) is added to a molecule.
Step 2: Identify the starting material. In this case, the starting material is toluene, which is a type of aromatic hydrocarbon.
Step 3: Know the structure of toluene. Toluene has a benzene ring with a methyl group (CH3) attached to it.
Step 4: Recognize where the nitro group can attach. The nitro group can attach to the benzene ring at different positions: ortho (next to the methyl group) or para (across from the methyl group).
Step 5: Determine the main product. When toluene is nitrated, the main products are ortho-nitrotoluene and para-nitrotoluene.
Step 6: Conclude that nitrotoluene is the main product of the nitration of toluene.

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