In the given chemical reaction
The mixture of three compounds A, B and C is formed respectively in what ratio?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 51%, 47%, 2%
The –\( \ce{NH2} \) group is ortho, para-directing. But nitration is done in a strongly acidic mixture (\( \ce{HNO3} \) + \( \ce{H2SO4} \)), where most of the aniline is protonated to the anilinium ion, \( \ce{C6H5NH3^{+}} \). The –\( \ce{NH3^{+}} \) group is electron-withdrawing and meta-directing. So besides the ortho and para products, a large amount of the meta product is also formed. At 288 K the mixture is:
A = p-nitroaniline 51%, B = m-nitroaniline 47%, C = o-nitroaniline 2%
Very little ortho product forms because the ortho positions are crowded next to the –\( \ce{NH2} \)/–\( \ce{NH3^{+}} \) group.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Nitration
