What is the role of h2so4 in the nitration reaction of nitrobenzene?

In the protonation of nitric acid by sulfuric acid, the source of the nitronium ion induces the removal of a water molecule and the creation of a nitronium ion. The first step in benzene nitration is to activate HNO3 with sulfuric acid to create a nitronium ion, a stronger electrophile.

What is the purpose of the sulphuric acid?

In various concentrations the acid is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, pigments, dyes, drugs, explosives, detergents, and inorganic salts and acids, as well as in petroleum refining and metallurgical processes.

Is h2so4 a catalyst in nitration?

The concentrated sulphuric acid is acting as a catalyst. The electrophile is the “nitronium ion” or the “nitryl cation”, NO2+. This is formed by reaction between the nitric acid and the sulphuric acid.

Which process is used for the preparation of Sulphuric acid?

Contact process
Contact process is used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The various steps in the Contact process are as follows: Production of sulphur dioxide.

What is produced when benzene reacts with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid?

Benzene reacts with concentrated nitric acid at 323-333k in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid to form nitrobenzene. This reaction is known as nitration of benzene.

What is the role of sulphuric acid in nitration of benzene?

Nitration in the benzene ring is an electrophilic substitution reaction, and the electrophile involved here is the nitronium ion, NO2+. Sulphuric acid being a stronger acid than nitric acid facilitates easy generation of NO2+ by protonating the latter. Even nitration of benzene is carried out by using this nitration mixture only.

What is required for nitration of benzene to form nitrobenzene?

It is required for nitration of benzene to form nitrobenzene. The nitration of benzene takes place when it is heated with a 1:1 mixture of concentrated HNO3 and con.H2SO4 at 59–55C. Sulphuric acid reacts with nitric acid to generate “nitronium ion (NO2+)” HSO4– and water . The mechanism is shown in the fig.

How is nitric acid protonated by sulfuric acid?

In the protonation of nitric acid by sulfuric acid, the source of the nitronium ion induces the removal of a water molecule and the creation of a nitronium ion. The first step in benzene nitration is to activate HNO 3 with sulfuric acid to create a nitronium ion, a stronger electrophile.

What happens when sulphuric acid is regenerated from nitric acid?

This H+ bonds with HSO4- to form H2SO4 and hence sulphuric acid is regenerated. Sulphuric acid is necessary as it helps in the generation of nitronium ion from nitric acid which is the actual nitrating agent. Nitronium ion is not easily generated when we use only nitric acid.