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 $-N{H}_{2}to-N{O}_2$ group
• C. electrophile $N{O}_2^{+}$ is a m-directing group
• D. benzene ring exerts $+I$ effect and deactivates the ring.

Answer 1

The correct option is A aniline gets protonated with strong acids to give anilinium ion which is m-directing

Anilinium ion formed by protonation of aniline deactivates o- and p-positions hence substitution takes place at m-position.