Nitration

Nitration

It is another substitution reactionof alkanes. Introduction of nitro group in alkanes is called nitration.
OR
 Replace the hydrogen with nitro group is called nitration. (-NO2). 

 Explanation

A gaseous mixture of alkane and a large excess of 60% nitruc acid is passed rapidly through a narrow tube at elevated temperature(400), where upon a complex mixture of mononitroalkanes is obtained. 

Under the reaction conditions the alkanes molecules also undergo fragmentation. In this reaction oxidation products are carbon monooxide carbon dioxide and water. In fact , 70 to 80 % of nitric acid is consumed in the formation of oxidation products. 

CH3CH2CH2CH3+NO2»»»»CH3CH2CH2NO2+                     

CH3CHCH3+ CH3CH2NO2+CH3NO2+CO+CO2+H2O

 It is separated by fraction distillation.