The industrial-scale preparation of aniline via the reduction of nitrobenzene heavily prefers a spec — Amines Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Scrap iron ($Fe$) and $HCl$ are preferred industrially because the reduction initially forms $FeCl_2$, which undergoes subsequent rapid hydrolysis to release $HCl$ back into the reaction mixture. Because $HCl$ is continuously regenerated cyclically, only a very small, catalytic initial amount of acid is required, making the process highly economical.