Chemistry students studying organic synthesis and practical techniques.

The poster follows the nitration of methyl benzoate using concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid, with particular emphasis on the practical conditions required for a successful preparation.

Students are guided through preparing and cooling the nitrating mixture, controlled dropwise addition below 10 °C, quenching the reaction mixture with crushed ice, crystallisation, Büchner filtration, washing, recrystallisation from ethanol and drying the purified product.

The resource also links the practical chemistry to the underlying theory, explaining why the –COOCH₃ group is deactivating and meta-directing, resulting predominantly in substitution at the 3-position.

Particular attention is given to temperature control and laboratory safety, including why nitration mixtures must be handled carefully and why cooling is essential during this exothermic reaction.

The poster brings together several important A-level skills and concepts:

electrophilic substitution of aromatic compounds
nitration and reaction conditions
directing effects of substituents
temperature control
crystallisation and Büchner filtration
washing and drying a solid product
recrystallisation and purification

Part of the Organic Practical Chemistry series, this is a useful resource for practical preparation, revision, examination questions and classroom display.