[Ilovescience]

Hi! I've performed a nitration of 2-benzylpyriding to 2-(2',4'-benzyl)pyridine. the alkyl group directs the two NO2 groups to the orto and para position of the benzene ring. When I added 2-benzyl pyridine and nitric acid to the sulfuric acid solution, it was extremely important to keep the temperature below 10C. What would happen if the temperature were higher? would some kind of biproduct form? I know a runaway reaction would occur, but is that the whole explanation to why it is important to keep the temperature low?

Thanks

[408]

Bingo.

Lower T favours nitration, and to some degree temperature can control mono, di tri etc nitration.  High T switches from nitration to oxidation, which depending on substrate can range from oxidation to carboxylic acids, to CO2&H2O to a explosion(for those highly nitrated substrates  )