The partial rate factors for nitration of tert-butylbenzene are as shown.(a) How reactive...

The partial rate factors for nitration of tert-butylbenzene are as shown.

(a) How reactive is tert-butylbenzene toward nitration compared with benzene?

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(b) How reactive is tert-butylbenzene toward nitration compared with toluene?

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(c) Predict the distribution among the various mononitration products of tert-butylbenzene.

Sample Solution (a) Benzene has six equivalent sites at which nitration can occur. Summing the individual relative rates of nitration at each position in tert-butylbenzene compared with benzene, we obtain

tert-Butylbenzene undergoes nitration 15 times faster than benzene.