Question #480c6
1 Answer
The reaction you describe matches the profile of an electrophilic aromatic substitution. If I'd have to guess what compound
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The nitration of benzene refers to the introduction of a nitro group into benzene by way of a nitrating mixture. Here is where the nitric acid and the sulfuric acid, which acts as a catalyst, come into play.
The first step in the nitration of benzene is the creation of the nitronium ion,
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Since it is the stronger acid, sulfuric acid will protonate nitric acid on the
The electron-rich benzene ring will attack the strong electrophile nitronium ion to eventually form nitrobenzene and sulfuric acid
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