Nitration

Name:
Nitration
Detailed information:
A reaction in which a nitro group (—NO₂) replaces a hydrogen on a carbon atom by the use of nitric acid or mixed acid. An example is the nitration of cellulose to nitrocellulose. It is widely used in aromatic reactions to form such compounds as nitrobenzene, trinitrotoluene, nitroglycerin, and other explosives. Aromatic nitrations are usually effected with mixed acid, a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids, at 0–120C. Aliphatic nitration is less common than aromatic, but propane can be nitrated under pressure to yield nitroparaffins.