The nitration of diphenyl sulphoxide in concentrated sulphuric acid

Abstract

The kinetics of nitration of diphenyl sulphoxide in 83—100% sulphuric acid have been studied and the proportion of the isomers formed over this range of acidity determined. Second-order rate coefficients (k₂) and k_p, k_m, and k_o have been calculated. The meta:para ratio, the rate profile, and the activation entropy provide evidence that the form in which diphenyl sulphoxide is nitrated is in part the neutral molecule and in part the conjugate acid.