Benzene on nitration gives nitrobenzene in presence of $\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$ and $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ mixture, where:

(C) $\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$ acts as a base and $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ acts as an acid

(A) both $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ and $\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$ act as a bases

(B) both $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ and $\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$ act as an acids

(D) $\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$ acts as an acid and $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ acts as a base

JEE Main · 2021 · 20 Jul 2021 · Shift 2 · Hydrocarbons

Benzene on nitration gives nitrobenzene in presence of

HNO_{3}

and

H_{2} SO_{4}

mixture, where:

(A)both $H_{2} SO_{4}$ and $HNO_{3}$ act as a bases
(B)both $H_{2} SO_{4}$ and $HNO_{3}$ act as an acids
(C) $HNO_{3}$ acts as a base and $H_{2} SO_{4}$ acts as an acid✓ Correct
(D) $HNO_{3}$ acts as an acid and $H_{2} SO_{4}$ acts as a base

Answer: (C)

Solution

Sulphuric acid is the stronger of the two acids, so in the mixture it is the proton donor and nitric acid is the proton acceptor. The protonated nitric acid then loses water to give the nitronium ion,

HN O_{3} + H_{2} S O_{4} \to N O_{2}^{+} + HS O_{4}^{-} + H_{2} O

and

N O_{2}^{+}

is the electrophile that attacks the benzene ring. Nitric acid acts as a base and sulphuric acid acts as an acid.

JEE Main · 2021 · 20 Jul 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option

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