Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS)
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring. In biphenyl, the presence of two benzene rings allows for substitution reactions at various positions, influenced by the electronic effects of substituents. Understanding EAS is crucial for predicting the products of nitration in biphenyl.
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Activating and Deactivating Groups
Substituents on an aromatic ring can either activate or deactivate the ring towards electrophilic substitution. Activating groups, such as alkyl groups, increase the electron density of the ring, making it more reactive, while deactivating groups, like nitro groups, withdraw electron density and reduce reactivity. In biphenyl, the relative activation of each phenyl ring will determine the site of substitution during nitration.
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Activating and deactivating groups
Ortho/Para-Directing Effects
Ortho and para directing effects refer to the positions on an aromatic ring where electrophilic substitution is most likely to occur, influenced by the nature of substituents. Activating groups typically direct new substituents to the ortho and para positions relative to themselves, while deactivating groups direct to the meta position. In biphenyl, understanding these directing effects is essential for predicting the specific nitration products.
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Ortho, Para major products