What reaction occurs when benzene is mixed with equal amounts of sulphuric and nitric acid?

Intro:This is an electrophilic substitution reaction (nitration)Nitric acid and sulphuric acid are used to create the electrophile (NO2+)The electrophile then substitutes itself with a H atom on the benzene ring
Formation of the electrophile:Nitric acid is weaker than sulphuric acid, therefore it acts as a base in the reactionH2SO4 + HNO3 = H2NO3+ + HSO4-H2NO3+ = H2O + NO2+NO2+ is the electrophile - it attacks the delocalised ring of electrons in benzene[demonstrate mechanism of electrophile formation]
The Reaction:C6H6 + H2SO4 + HNO3 = C6H5NO2 + H2O + H2SO4The sulphuric acid is a catalyst, therefore it is re-formed[demonstrate mechanism of main reaction]

SS
Answered by Simone S. Chemistry tutor

1691 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you deal with remembering all the knowledge required for organic chemistry questions?


Describe the stages of a heterogeneous catalyst reaction route.


How does the reactivity change down Group 1 elements, and why?


What type of stereoisomer is shown by butan-2-ol and how can we prove it?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning