If p-methoxy toluene is nitrated, the major product is :

Options

A.
B.
C.
D. No reaction

Answer

To determine the major product of the nitration of p-methoxy toluene, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the structure of p-methoxy toluene
- p-methoxy toluene consists of a benzene ring with a methoxy group (-OCH3) and a methyl group (-CH3) attached to it. The methoxy group is located at the para position relative to the methyl group.

### Step 2: Identify the directing effects of substituents
- Both the methoxy group (-OCH3) and the methyl group (-CH3) are ortho-para directing groups. This means that during nitration, they will direct the incoming nitro group (NO2) to the ortho and para positions relative to themselves.

### Step 3: Analyze the positions available for nitration
- For p-methoxy toluene, the available positions for nitration are:
- Ortho to the methoxy group
- Para to the methoxy group
- Ortho to the methyl group
- Para to the methyl group

### Step 4: Determine the influence of substituents
- The methoxy group is a stronger ortho-para directing group compared to the methyl group due to its ability to donate electron density through resonance. Therefore, it will have a greater influence on the position of nitration.

### Step 5: Identify the major product
- Since the para position relative to the methoxy group is blocked (due to the presence of the methyl group), the nitro group will preferentially be added to the ortho position relative to the methoxy group.
- Thus, the major product of the nitration of p-methoxy toluene will be 2-nitro-p-methoxy toluene, where the nitro group is located at the ortho position to the methoxy group.

### Final Answer:
The major product of the nitration of p-methoxy toluene is **2-nitro-p-methoxy toluene**.

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