Question

In the nitration of benzene with a mixture of conc. $HN{O}_3$ adn conc. $H_{2}S{O}_4$, the electrophile involved is:

• A. $N{O}_3^{-}$
• B. $N{O}_2$
• C. $N{O}_2^{-}$
• D. $N{O}_2^{+}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $N{O}_2^{+}$

Nitration of benzene is electrophilic substitution reaction. In this reaction the first step is slow and rate determining step when electrophile nitronium ion forms a sigma bond to benzene ring generating positive benzonium intermediate. In second step a proton is removed from this intermediate yielding a nitrobenzene.