Direct iodination of benzene using alone is difficult and results in poor yields because the reactio — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
Direct iodination of benzene using $I_2$ alone is difficult and results in poor yields because the reaction is readily reversible. Which of the following reagents must be added to the reaction mixture to force the iodination to completion?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
Iodination of benzene is reversible because the byproduct, hydroiodic acid ($HI$), is a strong reducing agent that can reduce iodobenzene back to benzene. To prevent this reverse reaction and drive the equilibrium forward, strong oxidizing agents like $HNO_3$ or $HIO_3$ are added to oxidize $HI$ back to $I_2$.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes