In the nitration of benzene using a mixture of concentrated and concentrated , what is the specific — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
In the nitration of benzene using a mixture of concentrated $HNO_3$ and concentrated $H_2SO_4$, what is the specific mechanistic role of $HNO_3$?
Answer: A
💡 Solution & Explanation
Sulfuric acid is a stronger acid than nitric acid. Therefore, $HNO_3$ acts as a Bronsted base, accepting a proton to form $H_2O^+-NO_2$, which immediately loses water to generate the powerful $NO_2^+$ electrophile.
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