Question

Amino group is $o$, $p$-directing for electrophilic substitution reaction. But, on nitration the major product is $m$-nitroaniline because

• A. aniline gets protonated with strong acids to give anilinium ion which is $m$-directing
• B. nitration requires nitric acid which oxidises $- NH_2$ to $-NO_2$ group
• C. electrophile $NO_2^+$ is a $m$-directing group
• D. benzene ring exerts $+ I$ effect and deactivates the ring

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Correct answer is (a) aniline gets protonated with strong acids to give anilinium ion which is $m$-directing