oksidiryhmä

Oksidiryhmä, also known as the nitro group, is a functional group in organic chemistry with the chemical formula NO2. It is characterized by a nitrogen atom double-bonded to one oxygen atom and single-bonded to another oxygen atom, which carries a negative charge. The nitrogen atom itself bears a positive charge, resulting in a neutral overall molecule. This arrangement gives the nitro group a significant dipole moment and makes it electron-withdrawing.

Nitro groups are commonly found in a wide range of organic compounds, including explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. The presence of a nitro group often imparts distinct properties to a molecule. For instance, nitromethane (CH3NO2) is a simple example of a nitroalkane and serves as a solvent and fuel additive. Aromatic nitro compounds, such as nitrobenzene (C6H5NO2), are important intermediates in the synthesis of aniline and other valuable chemicals.

The reactivity of the nitro group is diverse. It can be reduced to an amino group (NH2) through various chemical methods, a transformation crucial in the production of many amines. Under certain conditions, the nitro group can also undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions, particularly if activating groups are present on the aromatic ring. The electron-withdrawing nature of the nitro group also influences the acidity of nearby protons. Due to its energetic nature, many nitro compounds are used as explosives, with trinitrotoluene (TNT) being a well-known example.