NITRATION

• HOW IS THE ELECTROPHILE GENERATED IN NITRATION?

  solution of concentrated HNO3 and concentrated H2SO4

  ----

  H2SO4 + HNO3 -> H2NO3+ + HSO4-

  H2NO3+ -> NO2+ + H2O

  OVERALL: H2SO4 + NHO3 -> H2O + HSO4- + NO2+
• ELECTROPHILE FOR NITRATION?

  NO2+ (nitronium ion/ nitryl cation)
• WHAT IS THE CATALYST IN NITRATION?

  H2SO4
• WHY IS H2SO4 THE CATALYST IN NITRATION?

  H+ reacts with HSO4- and is regenerated
• OVERALL NITRATION REACTION?

  benzene + HNO3 --(H2SO4)--> nitrobenzene + water
• IMPORTANCE OF NITRATION REACTIONS?

  important in producing explosives (e.g. TNT) and aromatic amines (which are used in production of industrial dyes)
• REAGENT?

  concentrated HNO3 and concentrated H2SO4
• CONDITIONS?

  50 degrees Celsius