A synthetic chemist is tasked with producing a high yield of iodobenzene directly from benzene. Whic — Haloalkanes and Haloarenes Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Direct iodination requires an oxidizing agent to consume the formed $HI$, preventing the reverse reaction. Concentrated nitric acid ($HNO_3$) is a strong oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing $HI$ to $I_2$ ($2HNO_3 + 2HI \rightarrow 2NO_2 + 2H_2O + I_2$). Lewis acids alone ($AlCl_3, Fe$) are insufficient because they cannot eliminate the $HI$ reducing agent.