JAMB Chemistry 2024 Paper

Concept:Nitration of benzene requires a mixed acid reagent to generate the nitronium ion electrophile.Explanation:Concentrated trioxonitrate(V) acid is $\mathrm{HNO}_3$.It reacts with concentrated tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid, $\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{SO}_4$, to produce the nitronium ion, $\mathrm{NO}_2^+$.The $\mathrm{NO}_2^+$ ion attacks the benzene ring and substitutes a hydrogen atom.This forms nitrobenzene, $\mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_5\mathrm{NO}_2$, at a temperature not exceeding $60^\circ\mathrm{C}$.Therefore, the second acid required is concentrated tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid.Answer:C. tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid