Practice Problem: Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Retrosynthesis

The video tutorial explains how to synthesize a compound starting from benzene using electrophilic aromatic substitution. It discusses the use of Friedel Crafts alkylation to attach an alkyl group and nitration to attach a nitro group. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of understanding the directing abilities of these groups, with the alkyl group being an ortho para director and the nitro group a meta director. The correct order of reactions is crucial to achieve the desired ortho relationship between the substituents, leading to the successful synthesis of the target molecule.

How does the directing ability of the nitro group affect the final product?

What is the significance of the ortho relationship between the alkyl and nitro groups?

What is the first step in generating the target compound starting from benzene?

Describe the outcome if nitration is performed before Friedel-Crafts alkylation.

Explain the role of the alkyl group in the reaction sequence.