Statement I: The formation of the arenium ion (sigma complex) is the rate-determining step in genera — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
Statement I: The formation of the arenium ion (sigma complex) is the rate-determining step in general electrophilic aromatic substitution. Statement II: The formation of the arenium ion is an exothermic process because it gains resonance stabilization.
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
Statement I is true; the formation of the arenium ion is the slow, rate-determining step. Statement II is false; this step is highly endothermic because it destroys the stable aromatic $6\pi$ sextet, creating an $sp^3$ carbon.
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