In the nitration of benzene using a mixture of conc. H2SO4 and conc. HNO3, the species which initiates the reaction is __________.



at first, this step takes place because there is a requirement for stronger electrophile and for that nitric acid has to be activated for nitration of benzene.


• Sulphuric activates nitric acid and produces a strong electrophile nitronium ion NO2+, its electrophilicity tends to attack the benzene ring and electrophillic substitution takes place by producing nitrobenzene.




The other 3 species (i) NO2(ii) NO+ and (iv) NO2 cannot be formed during the activation of nitric acid.

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