ORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site nitration An important process in organic chemistry, in which a nitro group (–NO2) is introduced into a compound. Aromatic compounds are nitrated with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which contains the electrophile; the production of TNT and nitrobenzene are important cases. "Nitration" is a term also used to describe the formation of nitrate esters including nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Illustrated to the right is the nitration of benzene, which produces a reaction that goes through several stages. Initially (A), the entering group approaches and associates weakly with the benzene ring (B). Then, rearrangement produces an unstable high-energy intermediate (C), which breaks down to a complx (D) in which the leaving group is weakly associated with the ring. It ends with the departure of the leaving group (E). Related category    • ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP