1. Consider the reactants of the reaction equation for the formation of the nitronium ion. What two conditions would result in the most active nitrating mixture? Hint: Consider Le Chatelier's Principle
2. Why are powerfully electrophilic reagents needed to react with aromatic compounds?
3. Why is the methyl dinitrobenzoate product less favorable than the mononitration product?
4. What are two reasons the carbomethoxy group is a meta director.
5. Name the three possible side products of the reaction and state how they are removed.
6. Considering the possible side-products of the reaction, why was it necessary to keep the reaction temperature below 15.C?