Nitration of Benzene (EAS): Mechanism and Product: Mechanism + Exam Traps

Understand nitration of benzene: generating the nitronium ion (NO2+), electrophilic aromatic substitution steps, and regiochemistry on substituted rings.

• Reaction: Nitration of Benzene (EAS): Mechanism and Product
• What it does: Understand nitration of benzene: generating the nitronium ion (NO2+), electrophilic aromatic substitution steps, and regiochemistry on substituted rings.
• Typical reagents: HNO3, H2SO4
• Key intermediate: Arenium ion (σ-complex)
• Driving force: Aromaticity regained
• Exam type: Predict major product
• Exam type: Mechanism choice