Chapter 13.4, Problem 4P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The structure for the product with molecular formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{10}}{\text{H}}_{\text{14}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\text{S}$ formed when $\text{1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene}$ is heated with sulfur trioxide in sulfuric acid is to be given.

Concept introduction:

Sulfonation is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction in which a hydrogen atom of aromatic ring is substituted by ${\text{SO}}_{\text{3}}\text{H}$ group.

In a sulfonation reaction, the double bond of the aromatic ring acts as a nucleophile and sulfur trioxide acts as an electrophile.