Rate determining step in nitration of benzene is

Options

(a) formation of NO₂⁺
(b) formation of carbocation
(c) replacement of H atom
(d) none of these

Correct Answer:

formation of carbocation

Explanation:

The nitration of benzene takes places in three steps, i.e.
(i) Generation of electrophile(NO₂⁺), (ii) Attack of an electrophile to benzene ring forming the carbocation. (iii) Loss of proton from carbocation giving nitrobenzene. The attack of electrophile to benzene ring giving a carbocation is the slowest and rate determining step.