What is the major product formed when anisole reacts with a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and concentrated nitric acid?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 4-Nitroanisole
The methoxy group (–OCH3) of anisole activates the benzene ring and directs the incoming nitro group to the ortho and para positions. The nitrating mixture gives both products, and the para isomer is the major one:
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5OCH3 + HNO3} \xrightarrow{\ce{conc. H2SO4}} \ce{O2N-C6H4-OCH3 + H2O} \)
The major product is 4-nitroanisole.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) 2-Nitroanisole — Incorrect. It is formed, but only as the minor product.
Option (3) 3-Nitroanisole — Incorrect. –OCH3 is ortho, para directing, so the meta product is not the one formed.
Option (4) 2,4-Dinitroanisole — Incorrect. The reaction gives a mixture of the two mononitro compounds, not a dinitro compound.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
7.6.3 Chemical Reactions – “(iii) Nitration: Anisole reacts with a mixture of concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids to yield a mixture of ortho and para nitroanisole.”
