Compared to benzene, nitration of toluene takes place at:
Correct answer: B. faster rate
- A. slower rate
- B. faster rate
- C. same rate
- D. depends on the conditions
Explanation
Compared to benzene, nitration of toluene occurs at a faster rate due to the presence of the methyl group (-CH3), which is an electron-donating group. This group activates the benzene ring by hyperconjugation and directs electrophilic substitution to the ortho and para positions, increasing the reactivity of the ring towards nitration. The other options are incorrect because they either overlook the activating effect of the -CH3 group or suggest that the reaction rate is condition-dependent, which is not the case here.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Benzene and Aromatic Compounds
Benzene has a planar ring of delocalised π electrons, giving aromatic stability and equal carbon-carbon bond lengths. The topic covers resonance, electrophilic substitution reactions such as nitration, halogenation, sulphonation and Friedel-Crafts reactions, along with substituent effects and the distinction between substitution in benzene and addition in ordinary alkenes.
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