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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Amines  ·  NEET & JEE

What is the major product when aniline is acetylated and then nitrated?

Answer: p-Nitroacetanilide (para-isomer predominates).

  • A p-Nitroacetanilide (para-isomer predominates)
  • B o-Nitroacetanilide formed as the major product due to steric bulk
  • C m-Nitroacetanilide, since the acetamido group is a meta director
  • D 2,4-Dinitroacetanilide formed from double nitration under mild conditions

Correct answer: A. p-Nitroacetanilide (para-isomer predominates)

Explanation: The acetamido group is an ortho/para director; para-product predominates due to steric reasons.

Why Aniline Is a Weaker Base Than MethylamineNCH₃lone pair fully availableMethylamineN donates electrons freely → STRONG baseNlone pair delocalised into ringAniline

In aniline, the nitrogen's lone pair is pulled into the benzene ring through resonance, leaving less electron density available to accept a proton - which is why aniline is a much weaker base than methylamine, where the lone pair is fully available.

Concept context

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Covers classification (primary, secondary, tertiary), basicity comparison, preparation methods, and reactions including diazotization and coupling, key for understanding dyes and pharmaceuticals.

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