CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Hydrocarbons
Methylbenzene is heated with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid at 50°C. The main organic product is a mixture of two isomeric nitro compounds.
Suggest the name of the reaction type, the reagents and conditions needed, and explain why a mixture of two isomers is formed. Your answer should refer to the directing effect of the methyl group.
4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Suggest means: Apply what you know to an unfamiliar situation. There may be more than one acceptable answer. Reason from the principle you have learned to the new context, and say which principle you are using.
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