Chemistry · Aromatic Compounds

JEE Main 2024 — 5 April, Shift 1 — Question 69

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Statement I and the other is labelled as Statement II.

Statement I : Nitration of benzene involves the following step as shown below

Statement II : Use of Lewis base promotes the electrophilic substitution of benzene. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Option A:
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
Option B:
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Correct
Option C:
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Option D:
Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Answer: B

Step-by-step solution

Statement I is Correct: Nitration of benzene involves the generation of the nitronium ion ( $\mathrm{NO_2^+}$ ), which acts as the electrophile. This is formed by the reaction $\mathrm{HNO_3 + H_2SO_4 \rightleftharpoons NO_2^+ + H_2O + HSO_4^-}$ .

Statement II is Incorrect: Electrophilic substitution in benzene is promoted by Lewis acids (e.g., $\mathrm{AlCl_3}$ , $\mathrm{FeCl_3}$ ), not Lewis bases.

Thus, Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect (Option B).

Answer key and solution verified before publishing.

Practise Aromatic Compounds

Start with this question, then two more from the same chapter — with a tutor that explains every step. Free.

Solve a similar one free

Exam: JEE Main 2024
Paper: 5 April, Shift 1
Subject: Chemistry
Chapter: Aromatic Compounds
Topic: Chemical Properties of Arenes - Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution