Aniline is treated with a mixture of sodium nitrite and hypophosphorus acid, the product formed is

Options

(a) aniline diazonium hypophosphate
(b) benzene
(c) anilinium hypophosphite
(d) aniline diazonium hypophosphite

Correct Answer:

benzene

Explanation:

H₃PO₂ serves both as an acid as well as a reducing agent. The diazonium salt initially formed is reduced to give benzene. C₆H₅NH₂ → C₆H₅N₂⁺ HPO₂⁻ → C₆H₆ + N₂ .