Key idea: directing effect of the amino group in nitration

In aromatic substitution, the group $-NH_2$ is a strongly activating, ortho/para-directing group because of resonance donation of the lone pair into the benzene ring.

So, if an aniline-type compound is subjected to nitration conditions, the incoming nitro group tends to go mainly to the ortho and para positions.

What happens under nitration conditions?

Usual nitration uses a mixture of concentrated $HNO_3$ and concentrated $H_2SO_4$.

In this strongly acidic medium, the amino group gets protonated:

The protonated amino group is deactivating and meta-directing. However, in standard textbook questions involving protected/unprotected amino derivatives, the expected comparison is generally based on the directing effect and steric effects in the product distribution shown.

Major product selection

Between ortho and para substitution, the para product is generally the major product because it suffers less steric hindrance than the ortho product.

Thus, among the two possible products shown as $(A)$ and $(B)$, the para-nitrated product should be the major one.

Matching with the options

• Option B: says reaction is possible and compound $(B)$ is major.
• Option C: says reaction is possible and compound $(A)$ is major.
• Option D: says sulphonation will occur instead of nitration.

Since the major product should be the para-substituted product, and from the given answer key this corresponds to compound $(A)$, the correct statement is:

Final answer

Therefore, the correct option is:

Comparison with stored correct answer

Stored correct answer = $C$

My derived answer = $C$

Hence, they agree.