According to experimental data for the electrophilic nitration of toluene using nitric and sulfuric — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Toluene contains a methyl group which is an ortho/para director. While the vast majority of the product is ortho (approx. 59%) and para (approx. 37%), a very small amount of meta substitution still occurs because activation is relative, not absolute. The experimental yield of the meta isomer is roughly 4%.