[portugal]

would the reason for the slow cooled addition of sulfuric acid during the nitration of acetanilide be to prevent large amounts of heat being generated causing the acid to boil and spit back at the experimenter as well as prevent the equipment being broken due to heat buildup??

[hmx9123]

That would be a good starting point.  See if you can expand upon it a little further by answering yourself these questions?

Why would the addition be slow?  There could be many reasons for this.
Why would one cool the acid down?  Again, there could be several reasons for this, but one sticks out because it coincides with the reason for the first question.

You mention heat buildup.  Where is the heat coming from?  What reaction are you doing, and is it exothermic?  In addition, what other chemicals is the sulfuric acid being added to?  Are any of them wet, or even water itself?  Is there nitric acid already in solution?

Try and be specific about your answer.  You can only learn more from it.   Post your ideas and let us know.

[lutesium]

Nitrations must be done slowly very slowly as the heat buildup may be enormous. And if you don't want corroisve burns in your skin use a good magnetic stirring with an ice-salt bath and an addition funnel which adds 1 drop of acid every 1-2 second(s). Why do you hurry?

Hope this helps!


Lutesium...