Discussion:
The result obtained from the experiment was 84.3% yield of the product, and the melting point ranged from 45-50°C. The melting point of the possible results are 61°C for 1-nitronaphthalene, and 79°C for 2-nitronaphthalene.
Even though there is discrepancy in the result obtained from the experiment, the product is more likely to be 1-nitonaphthalene because its melting point is closer to that of the product obtained. They also exhibit the same physical and chemical properties.
The discrepancy in the result obtained may have been from various sources during the experiment. During vacuum filtering, if not properly performed, some of the product might have been lost, therefore decreasing the amount of the product obtained. Another source might have been from the addition of naphthalene to the m1:1 mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The reaction probably did not fully react if the naphthalene was added at once without stirring. Again, this might have caused the discrepancy in result.
Conclusion:
The purpose of the experiment, which was to synthesize nitronaphthalene, was accomplished through the method implemente in this experiment because of the similarity between the obtained product and the predicted outcome.
This experiment can be improved by circumspectly following the procedure, carefully adding the finely divided naphthalene in little amounts in order to facilitate a good reaction between the nitronium ion and naphthalene.