Chapter 22, Problem 22.37P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Xylene (dimethylbezene) has three isomers. When subjected to nitration reaction, isomer $\text{A}$ produced single product; isomer $\text{B}$ produced two products, and isomer $\text{C}$ produced three products. These isomers are to be identified as ortho, meta and para.

Concept introduction:

Benzene, on reaction with concentrated nitric acid in the presence of concentration sulfuric acid, undergoes substitution of one of the ring hydrogen by nitro group and forms nitrobenzene; this is called nitration. The structural isomers are the compounds with the same molecular formula with different connectivity of atoms. The number of nitration products depends on the number of distinct hydrogen atoms in the aromatic compound.