In the nitration of benzene with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids, the electrophile is ____.
Correct answer C. NO₂⁺
Explanation
Sulphuric acid protonates nitric acid, which then loses water to form the nitronium ion: HNO₃ + 2H₂SO₄ → NO₂⁺ + H₃O⁺ + 2HSO₄⁻. NO₂⁺ attacks the benzene ring.
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