Question

Cinnamic acid ($Ph-CH=CH-COOH$) is nitrated preferably at ________ and it is ________ then nitration of benzene.

• A. m-position, faster
• B. o and p-positions, faster
• C. m-position, slower
• D. o and p-positions, slower

Answer 1

The correct option is D o and p-positions, slower

$\ast$ Nitration of cinnamic acid gives mixture of ortho and para nitrocinnamic acid.

$\ast$ Benzene is electron rich species for electrophile reaction.

$\ast$ In cinnamic acid electron with drawing group decreases reaction rate with electrophile.

$\ast$ Hence nitration of Benzene is faster than cinnamic acid nitration.