AIIMS2019Chemistry-Organic Chemistry

AIIMS 2019 Chemistry Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium-Class 12

When¹⁻chloro3o^{-3}-methoxybenzene reacts with nitric acid and sulphuric acid, it forms²⁻chloro4o^{-4}-methoxy1y^{-1}-nitrobenzene. The nitro group gets attached to para-position due to steric hindrance at ortho position. The reaction is shown below.

Question diagram
A

A

B

B

C

C

D

D

Correct Answer

Option B

Detailed Explanation

In the reaction of 1-chloro-3-methoxybenzene with nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), the nitro group (−NO₂) is introduced at the para position due to the electron-donating effect of the methoxy group (−OCH₃), which activates the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution. The steric hindrance at the ortho position, caused by the presence of the bulky chloro group (−Cl), prevents the nitro group from attaching there, favoring the para substitution instead. Other options are not applicable as they do not provide relevant information or alternative answers to this specific reaction scenario.

Found an issue with this question?