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Question: CH₃ NO₂ NO₂ Number of positional isomers for the compound given are: ...

CH₃

NO₂ NO₂ Number of positional isomers for the compound given are:

A

4

B

5

C

6

D

7

Answer

6

Explanation

Solution

For a dinitro toluene, position 1 is fixed with the CH₃ group. The two –NO₂ groups can be attached to the remaining five positions on the benzene ring. Upon considering the symmetry of the benzene ring (ortho, meta, para relationships relative to the –CH₃ group), the 10 combinatorial possibilities (choosing 2 out of 5 positions) reduce to 6 unique positional isomers. These are:

  • 2,3-dinitrotoluene
  • 2,4-dinitrotoluene
  • 2,5-dinitrotoluene
  • 2,6-dinitrotoluene
  • 3,4-dinitrotoluene
  • 3,5-dinitrotoluene