why does toulene give more ortho product than anisole during nitration? My notes say amines and methoxy groups are strong activators, while alkyl groups are weak activators. any insight?
Anisole has a methoxy group with a strongly electronegative Oxygen, therefore contributing to the ortho directing group.
Toulene, on the other hand, has just a methyl group with Carbon being not as electronegative as Oxygen, contributing less to the ortho directing group.
Anisole has a methoxy group with a strongly electronegative Oxygen, therefore contributing to the ortho directing group.
Toulene, on the other hand, has just a methyl group with Carbon being not as electronegative as Oxygen, contributing less to the ortho directing group.