Under which of the following reaction conditions, aniline gives p-nitro derivative as the major product?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

• Direct nitration of aniline is not possible because it gives a mixture of ‘ortho’ and ‘para’ products.

• So acetic anhydride is used to produce acetanilide in order block the ‘ortho’ position activation of aniline and then it undergoes nitration and forms specifically

para-nitro aniline.

Both (i) Acetyl chloride/pyridine followed by reaction with conc. H₂SO₄ + conc. HNO₃.

• (ii) Acetic anyhdride/pyridine followed by conc. H₂SO₄ + conc. HNO₃ reagents can be used for the procedure.

But (iii) Dil. HCl followed by reaction with conc. H₂SO₄ + conc. HNO₃.

(iv) Reaction with conc. HNO₃ + conc. H₂SO₄ cannot produce acetanilide.