p-chlorotoluene on nitration gives:

When p-chlorotoluene undergoes nitration, it primarily produces two products due to the positions of the substituents on the aromatic ring. The main products are:

Key Products of Nitration

• p-Chloro-3-nitrotoluene: This compound forms when the nitro group is added to the position ortho to the chlorine atom.
• p-Chloro-4-nitrotoluene: This is the major product, where the nitro group is added to the position para to the chlorine atom.

Reaction Overview

The nitration reaction typically involves the use of a nitrating mixture, usually concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The presence of the chlorine atom directs the incoming nitro group to the ortho and para positions due to its electron-withdrawing effects.

Importance of Substituents

The chlorine atom is a deactivating group but also an ortho/para director, which influences the outcome of the nitration process. This results in a mixture of products, with the para product generally being more favored due to steric factors.