Understanding Nitration of Aromatic Compounds

The video tutorial explains the nitration of toluene, focusing on the formation of ortho and para products. It discusses how the presence of a methyl group, which is a weakly activating ortho/para director, affects the product ratio, typically resulting in a 60% ortho and 40% para product mix. The tutorial further explores the impact of substituting the methyl group with bulkier groups like ethyl and tert-butyl, demonstrating how steric hindrance influences the product distribution. Through example problems, the video illustrates the concept of steric effects on electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

What is the role of the methyl group in the nitration of toluene?

• It prevents any reaction from occurring.

• It deactivates the benzene ring.

• It acts as an ortho-para director.

• It directs the nitro group to the meta position.

In the nitration of toluene, what is the approximate ratio of ortho to para products?

• 60% ortho, 40% para

• 70% ortho, 30% para

• 50% ortho, 50% para

• 40% ortho, 60% para

How does the bulkiness of the ethyl group affect the ortho-para ratio in ethyl benzene nitration?

• It prevents the reaction from occurring.

• It favors the para product.

• It favors the ortho product.

• It results in a 50/50 ortho-para ratio.

What happens to the ortho-para ratio when a bulky tert-butyl group is used?

• The reaction does not occur.

• The ratio remains 50/50.

• The para product is favored.

• The ortho product is favored.

In the presence of a tert-butyl group, what is the expected yield of the para product?

• 80%

• 20%

• 40%

• 60%

In a benzene ring with both tert-butyl and methyl groups, which position is more accessible for the nitro group?

• Ortho to methyl

• Ortho to tert-butyl

• Para to tert-butyl

• Meta to both groups

When tert-butyl and methyl groups are ortho to each other, which site is most accessible for nitration?

• Site B

• Site A

• All sites are equally accessible

• Site C

In the final example, which product is considered negligible due to steric hindrance?

• Product A

• Product C

• All products are significant

• Product B

What is the main factor determining the major product in the presence of bulky groups?

• Temperature

• Solvent used

• Electronic effects

• Steric effects

Which substituent is more likely to favor the ortho product in nitration?

• Nitro group

• Ethyl group

• Tert-butyl group

• Methyl group