During the nitration of benzene using a standard nitrating mixture of concentrated and concentrated , what is the specific mechanistic role of nitric acid in the initial generation of the electrophile

Question

During the nitration of benzene using a standard nitrating mixture of concentrated $HNO_3$ and concentrated $H_2SO_4$, what is the specific mechanistic role of nitric acid in the initial generation of the electrophile?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. In the nitrating mixture, sulfuric acid () is a stronger acid than nitric acid (). Therefore, acts as a Bronsted base, accepting a proton to form , which then loses a molecule of water to generate the powerful electrophile, the nitronium ion ().

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