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Nitrobenzene can be prepared from benzene by using a mixture of conc. $HNO_3$ and conc. $H_2SO_4$. In the mixture, nitric acid acts as a/an
A
catalyst
B
reducing agent
C
acid
D
base
Detailed Solution
In the nitrating mixture, sulphuric acid is the stronger acid and donates a proton to nitric acid.
$HNO_3 + H_2SO_4 \rightleftharpoons H_2NO_3^+ + HSO_4^-$
The protonated nitric acid loses water to give the electrophile, the nitronium ion: $H_2NO_3^+ \rightarrow NO_2^+ + H_2O$
Since nitric acid accepts a proton from sulphuric acid, it behaves as a Brønsted base in this mixture.
Hence nitric acid acts as a base.
$HNO_3 + H_2SO_4 \rightleftharpoons H_2NO_3^+ + HSO_4^-$
The protonated nitric acid loses water to give the electrophile, the nitronium ion: $H_2NO_3^+ \rightarrow NO_2^+ + H_2O$
Since nitric acid accepts a proton from sulphuric acid, it behaves as a Brønsted base in this mixture.
Hence nitric acid acts as a base.