Question

State the name and formula of electrophile used in the nitration of benzaldehyde.

Hint:

Nitration always involves the nitronium ion (NO\(_2^+\)) as the electrophile.

Answer 1

Step 1: Recall nitration mechanism.
Nitration is an electrophilic substitution reaction where an electrophile attacks the benzene ring.
Step 2: Electrophile formation.
In nitration, concentrated HNO\(_3\) reacts with concentrated H\(_2\)SO\(_4\) to form the nitronium ion (NO\(_2^+\)).
\[ HNO_3 + 2H_2SO_4 \rightarrow NO_2^+ + H_3O^+ + 2HSO_4^- \] Step 3: Role of electrophile.
This nitronium ion attacks the benzene ring of benzaldehyde to carry out nitration.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the electrophile is NO\(_2^+\) (nitronium ion).