When ethylbenzene is reacted with nitric acid, three possible benzenes containing both a nitro group and an ethyl group are obtained. Draw and name them.

Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring. In the case of ethylbenzene reacting with nitric acid, the nitronium ion (NO2+) acts as the electrophile, leading to the introduction of a nitro group onto the benzene ring. Understanding EAS is crucial for predicting the products formed in this reaction.

Regioselectivity refers to the preference of a chemical reaction to yield one structural isomer over others when multiple possibilities exist. In the reaction of ethylbenzene with nitric acid, the position where the nitro group attaches to the benzene ring is influenced by the ethyl group's electron-donating effects, leading to specific regioisomers. Recognizing regioselectivity helps in identifying the major products of the reaction.

Nomenclature of aromatic compounds involves the systematic naming of organic molecules based on established rules, such as those set by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). For the products formed from the reaction of ethylbenzene and nitric acid, understanding how to name the resulting nitro-ethylbenzenes is essential for clear communication in chemistry. This includes recognizing the positions of substituents on the benzene ring.