Question

The major product formed in the reaction of benzoic acid with conc. $HN{O}_3$ and conc. $H_{2}S{O}_4$ is:

• A. o-Nitrobenzoic acid
• B. p-Nitrobenzoic acid
• C. m-Nitrobenzoic acid
• D. Both A and B

Answer 1

The correct option is C m-Nitrobenzoic acid

$-COOH$ is the meta directing group because it is electron withdrawing group. It pulls the electron density towards itself and acts as a deactivating group which gives generally meta substituted major product.