Question

Write the chemical equation for the following:
Nitration of anisole.

Hint:

Methoxy groups in anisole are electron-donating, which increases the reactivity of the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution, particularly at the ortho position.

Answer 1

The nitration of anisole involves the electrophilic substitution of a nitro group onto the aromatic ring. The reaction is as follows:
\[ \text{Anisole} + \text{HNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{2-Nitroanisole} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \] The nitro group is predominantly added at the 2-position of the aromatic ring due to the electron-donating effect of the methoxy group.