Question

Why is it so important to keep the reaction of nitration of methyl benzoate in an ice bath when adding sulfuric acid and nitric acid and to use a pipette to add these acids slowly?

Answer 1

Nitration reaction is an exothermic reaction. To control the temperature of the reaction, we are doing the reaction in an ice bath. Adding Sulfuric acid to nitric acid to make the nitrating agent is also an exothermic reaction. So, we have to use the ice bath to control the temperature.

One more important thing is there to use the ice bath. At low temperature, the nitration reaction is slow and this avoids the dinitration product. Use of pipette is important because less amount of reaction proceeds at a time and less amount of heat generated which is controlled by the ice bath.