Question

Discuss the direct influence of methane group in methyl benzene. Explain why toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene?

Answer 1

Influence of methyl group in methyl benzene (Toluene):

Alkyl (-R) -groups [here, methyl (-CH₃) group] are electron donating groups. They produces positive inductive (+I) effect which increases the reactivity of the compound. Due to resonance effect, the electron density increases at ortho and para positions.

Toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene:

Due to the fact that electron density increases at meta and para positions as a result of methyl group attached to benzene ring, toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene.

Nitrite ( -NO₂) group is electron withdrawing group and when treated with toluene makes bond in the ortho or para positions.

Benzene ring is much stable than toluene and have no higher electron density at ortho or para positions.

Thus, toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene.

Answer 2

Answer:

$\huge{\underline{\underline{\bf{AnsweR \: : -}}}}$

Influence of methyl group in methyl benzene (Toluene):

• Alkyl (-R) -groups [here, methyl (-CH₃) group] are electron donating groups. They produces positive inductive (+I) effect which increases the reactivity of the compound. Due to resonance effect, the electron density increases at ortho and para positions.

Toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene:

• Due to the fact that electron density increases at meta and para positions as a result of methyl group attached to benzene ring, toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene.
• Nitrite ( -NO₂) group is electron withdrawing group and when treated with toluene makes bond in the ortho or para positions.
• Benzene ring is much stable than toluene and have no higher electron density at ortho or para positions.

Thus, toluene is nitrated more easily than benzene.