A two step synthesis of methyl 3-nitrobenzene

PROCEDURE

Safety -   Ethanol is highly flammable

                Conc. Sulphuric acid is corrosive

                Conc. Nitric acid is corrosive and an oxidant

                Methyl benzoate is harmful

STEP 2:  Formation of methyl 3-nitrobenzoate from methyl benzoate:
  1. Pour 9cm3 of concentrated sulphuric acid into a 100cm3 conical flask and cool in an ice bath to below 10oC.  Now add 4cm3 methyl benzoate while swirling.
  2. Prepare a mixture of 3cm3 concentrated nitric acid with 3cm3 concentrated sulphuric acid and cool in an ice bath.
  3. Now add the acid mixture dropwise to the methyl benzoate while in an ice bath and keeping the temperature between 5 - 15oC. (about 15 minutes).
  4. When all the acid mixture is added remove the resulting mixture from the ice bath and allow to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  5. Pour the mixture over 40g of crushed ice and stir until the product solidifies. 
  6. Wait for the ice to melt and collect the product by suction filtration.  Wash through with 3 portions of water making sure it has sucked dry before each addition.
  7. Wash and dry the Buchner flask only and set up for suction filtration this time washing through with 2 x 5cm3 portions of ice cold ethanol.
  8. Recrystallise the product in a minimum amount of hot ethanol.
  9. Collect by suction filtration, dry and determine its melting point.  (it should be 78oC.)