What is the expected outcome from the electrophilic substitution of chlorobenzene with HNO3/H2SO4 and heat?
1 Answer
Nitrated chlorobenzene derivatives in the 2 and 4 positions, with respect to
Explanation:
The conc. sulfuric/nitric acid is the classic nitrating mixture. It represents a good, old-fashioned fashioned INORGANIC, ACID BASE reaction:
Sulfuric acid here protonates the nitric acid to give the nitronium ion and water, and bisulfate ion.
The nitronium ion,
So the products: 2-nitrochlorobenzene; 4-nitrochlorobenzene; 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. You probably could not get a third substitution to give 2,4,6-trinitro-chlorobenzene; your conditions would have to be screaming hot, and I would not be game to go near such a reaction flask.