Nitric Acid → 4-Methyl-3-nitrobenzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

An amount of 240 parts by weight of concentrated sulfuric acid was cooled to -5° C. in a reaction vessel equipped with a drip funnel, agitator and thermometer. While stirring the mixture well, 40 parts by weight of 4-cyanotoluene were added portionwise and 25 volume parts of concentrated nitric acid were then added dropwise at a temperature between -5° C. and +5° C. To complete the nitration, the mixture was agitated at 0° C. for two hours and the reaction mixture was then poured onto 400 parts by weight of ice. The precipitate was recovered by filtration, thoroughly washed with water and dried in air. The result was 50.9 parts by weight of 1-methyl-4-cyano-2-nitrobenzene with a melting point of 105° to 106° C.

Provenance & Evidence