NEETChemistryHydrocarbons
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The isomeric mixture obtained by the electrophilic nitration of toluene is separated by steam distillation. Reason (R): o -Nitrotoluene is steam volatile due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- DBoth (A) and (R) are not correct
Correct answer
D. Both (A) and (R) are not correct
Step-by-step solution
Electrophilic nitration of toluene yields a mixture of o -nitrotoluene and p -nitrotoluene. Unlike o -nitrophenol, o -nitrotoluene does not possess intramolecular hydrogen bonding because the hydrogen atoms of the methyl group do not participate in hydrogen bonding with the nitro group. Since there is no significant difference in volatility caused by hydrogen bonding, and their boiling points are relatively close, the mixture of o -nitrotoluene and p -nitrotoluene is separated by fractional distillation, not steam