📖 Theory ▼
Acetanilide + HNO₃/H₂SO₄ → p-Nitroacetanilide + H₂O
(C₈H₉NO + HNO₃ → C₈H₈N₂O₃ + H₂O)
Temp must be kept below 5°C!
-NHCOCH₃ is an ortho/para director → mainly para product
Nitrating mixture: conc. HNO₃ + conc. H₂SO₄
⚠️ Critical: Temperature > 5°C leads to formation of ortho isomer and dinitro products!
Product: Yellow crystalline solid, MP ≈ 215°C

Steps

1. Dissolve acetanilide
2. Prepare nitrating mixture
3. Cool in ice bath (<5°C)
4. Add nitrating mixture dropwise
5. Pour into cold water
6. Filter, wash & dry

⚠️ Safety

• Conc. HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ are strongly corrosive and cause severe burns — wear goggles and gloves.
• Making the nitrating mixture is exothermic — add acid to acid slowly with cooling; work in a fume cupboard (NO₂/acid fumes).
• Keep the temperature below 5 °C — overheating risks violent dinitration/oxidation.
• Add the nitrating mixture DROPWISE with constant stirring; never all at once.
• Pour into cold water carefully; ethanol for recrystallisation is flammable — no naked flame. Collect acidic organic waste separately.

🔮 Predict before you start

🌡️
Temperature
2°C
5°C ▲
✓ Safe
Beaker (empty)
Lab Notebook
Observations will appear here...