vmelkon - 20-3-2014 at 07:53
I'm not very experienced in organic chemistry.
I prepared my benzoic acid from toluene oxidation.
Is it possible to nitrate benzoic acid?
The problem is that it is a solid.
From what I read, they nitrate toluene (I'm interested in the para position), then they oxidize the para-nitrotoluene to para-nitrobenzoic acid.
Metacelsus - 20-3-2014 at 08:00
It is possible. However, nitration of benzoic acid will form the meta isomer. To get the para isomer, the toluene route is best.
Galinstan - 20-3-2014 at 08:23
i agree with Cheddite cheese although if you nitrate toluene you will get a mixture of ortho AND para nitro-toluene which will have to be separated
before you oxides the methyl group to yield your carboxylic acid and the temperature kept low to only get mono nitration.