Benzene can be prepared via the desulphonation of benzene sulphonic acid. What reagent and condition — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Desulphonation is the reverse of sulphonation. Because electrophilic aromatic substitution is an equilibrium process, heating benzene sulphonic acid with superheated steam (or boiling with dilute aqueous mineral acids) drives the equilibrium backwards, replacing the $-SO_3H$ group with a proton ($H^+$) to yield benzene and $H_2SO_4$.