Question

Given below are two statements :
Statement I: Nitration of benzene involves the following step –

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 :

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• B. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

Answer 2

In the nitration of benzene, concentrated $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ and $\text{HNO}_3$ act as reagents to generate the electrophile $\text{NO}_2^+$:

Lewis acids (not bases) promote the formation of electrophiles, facilitating electrophilic substitution. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

Hence, Statement I is correct, and Statement II is incorrect.