Nitration of an Organic Molecule

[Eiteiou]

Here is my assignment:

Draw resonance structures to show in which position nitrobenzene will nitrate to form dinitrobenzene.

 

 

I know that nitro groups are meta-directing, so the product will be m-dinitrobenzene. So do you just draw an intermediate carbocation with the charge in the meta position? If that's the case, where is the resonance? Would I show the charge being in the ortho, para, and meta positions but then indicate that the meta position is the most stable and therefore where substitution will occur?? I'm not fishing for just the answer, I want to make sure I understand this right, so any advice is helpful, Thank You!

Edited November 15, 2012 by Eiteiou