Nitration of Toluene Toluene reacts 25 times faster than benzene. The methyl group is an activating group. The product mix contains mostly ortho and para substituted molecules. CH3 CH. CH. HNO3 H2SO NO O,N NO2 toluene o-nitrotoluene m-nitrotoluene p-nitrotoluene (60%) (4%) (36%) => Chapter 17 11Chapter 17 11 Nitration of Toluene • Toluene reacts 25 times faster than benzene. The methyl group is an activating group. • The product mix contains mostly ortho and para substituted molecules. =>