What would you expect to be the major product obtained from the following reaction?
A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV

Question

What would you expect to be the major product obtained from the following reaction? 
A)I 
B)II 
C)III 
D)IV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction is a substitution reaction of benzene with nitration reagent (HNO3 and H2SO4). The nitro group (-NO2) will be attached to the benzene ring, and there are three possible positions for it: ortho (1,2), meta (1,3), and para (1,4). However, the para product (III) is the major product obtained because it is the most stable due to the electronic effects of the nitro group, which is a meta-directing group. Therefore, the nitro group is preferentially attached at the para position.

What Would You Expect to Be the Major Product Obtained