An Interpretation of the Puzzling Dichotomy of the Reaction Modes Observed during the Side-chain Nitration of Alkylaromatics

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1987.891

Nitration of substituted pentamethylbenzenes has been carried out under various conditions using the title nitrating systems in order to elucidate the peculiar dependence of the modes of side-chain substitution on the reagent employed; nitrooxylation with HNO3/CH2Cl2 and nitration with HNO3/(CH3CO)2O.Based on the evidence obtained from product variations with substituents, electrochemical nitrodecarboxylation of arylacetates, and ESR examination of the initial stage of the side-chain reactions, a proposal is made that the side-chain substitution of polysubstituted arenes occurs via a heterolytic path with HNO3/CH2Cl2 and via a homolytic path with HNO3/(CH3CO)2O.