Nitrorühmad

Nitrorühmad, also known as nitro groups, are functional groups in organic chemistry represented by the formula -NO2. This group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, with one oxygen atom double-bonded to the nitrogen and the other single-bonded and carrying a formal negative charge, while the nitrogen atom carries a formal positive charge. The overall structure is resonance-stabilized.

Nitrorühmad are strongly electron-withdrawing, meaning they pull electron density away from the rest of the molecule. This characteristic significantly influences the reactivity of organic compounds. For instance, the presence of a nitrorühmad can deactivate an aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution reactions, making it harder for other groups to attach. Conversely, it can activate a ring towards nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

The introduction of a nitrorühmad into an organic molecule is typically achieved through nitration reactions, most commonly by reacting the organic compound with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. This process is widely used in the synthesis of various important chemicals.

Nitrorühmad are a key component in many explosives, such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and nitroglycerin, due to the high energy content associated with the N-O bonds. They are also prevalent in pharmaceuticals, dyes, and agrochemicals, often serving as intermediates or active components. Reduction of the nitrorühmad can yield amino groups (-NH2), which are foundational to many synthetic pathways.