benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.

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  1. aqua05's Avatar
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    benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    The compound below can be prepared by heating together a mixture of benzoic acid,
    concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulphuric acid.

    diagram of benzoic acid with a NO2 group on carbon 3

    Question
    This nitration process is a slow one, despite the use of such vigorous conditions.
    Suggest why benzoic acid is less reactive than benzene towards reagents of this
    type.

    Can someone please explain to me what the answer is for this question
  2. lamalas600's Avatar
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    Re: benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    The conc. nitric acid and conc. sulphuric acid produce an electrophile No2+ which is attracted to the benzene ring (delocalised electrons) and undergoes electrophilic substitution.
    Benzoic acid reacts with NO2+ as attraction to the O-(because of difference of electronegativity with C) in the acid, which is a small difference and therefore slower than reacting NO2+ with benzene ring.
  3. aqua05's Avatar
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    Re: benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    (Original post by lamalas600)
    The conc. nitric acid and conc. sulphuric acid produce an electrophile No2+ which is attracted to the benzene ring (delocalised electrons) and undergoes electrophilic substitution.
    Benzoic acid reacts with NO2+ as attraction to the O-(because of difference of electronegativity with C) in the acid, which is a small difference and therefore slower than reacting NO2+ with benzene ring.
    is it coz the electron density in the benzene ring is less..as O will pull the electrons towards itself thus less electrophiles attract
  4. lamalas600's Avatar
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    (Original post by aqua05)
    is it coz the electron density in the benzene ring is less..as O will pull the electrons towards itself thus less electrophiles attract
    I think the electrophile will be attracted to the benzene ring because the electron density is high.
  5. JMaydom's Avatar
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    Re: benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    Different substituents have different effects upon the electron density in the aromatic ring. Groups with lone pairs, such as -OH, increase the electron density and therefore increase the rate of electrophillic addition.
    Electron withdrawing groups such as the -NO2 or COOH group withdraw electron density making the ring less nucleophillic
  6. aqua05's Avatar
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    Re: benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    (Original post by JMaydom)
    Different substituents have different effects upon the electron density in the aromatic ring. Groups with lone pairs, such as -OH, increase the electron density and therefore increase the rate of electrophillic addition.
    Electron withdrawing groups such as the -NO2 or COOH group withdraw electron density making the ring less nucleophillic

    You made understand this in the best way! Cleared my doubts thankkkkks
  7. lamalas600's Avatar
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    Re: benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H, and some of its derivatives.
    Ignore post...
    Last edited by lamalas600; 11-06-2012 at 20:08. Reason: Clicked on wrong post soz
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