The reaction of methyl-benzene with HNO3 in the presence of catalyst will provide what main compound?
To determine the reaction of methylbenzene (toluene) with HNO3 in the presence of a catalyst, you need to consider the process of nitration. Nitration is a common chemical reaction in which a nitro group (-NO2) is introduced into an organic compound. In this case, the methylbenzene acts as the organic compound.
The reaction requires the presence of a catalyst, such as concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which helps facilitate the reaction by providing a medium for the generation of the nitronium ion (NO2+). The nitronium ion acts as an electrophile and is highly reactive towards the electron-rich aromatic ring of the methylbenzene.
Here is the step-by-step process:
1. The nitric acid (HNO3) reacts with the sulfuric acid (H2SO4) catalyst to form nitronium ion (NO2+):
HNO3 + H2SO4 → NO2+ + HSO4- + H2O
2. The generated nitronium ion (NO2+) reacts with the aromatic ring of the methylbenzene (toluene) by electrophilic aromatic substitution:
C6H5CH3 + NO2+ → C6H4(CH3)NO2 + H+
The methylbenzene is substituted with a nitro group (-NO2), resulting in the formation of methyl nitrobenzene (toluene nitro-derivative) as the main compound.
Therefore, the main compound formed when methylbenzene reacts with HNO3 in the presence of a catalyst is methyl nitrobenzene (toluene nitro-derivative).