Rate determining step in nitration of benzene is

Options

A. formation of `NO_(2)^(+)`
B. formation of carboncation
C. replacement of H atom
D. none of these

Answer

B

Explanation

The nitration of benzene takes places in three steps, i.e.
(i) Generation of electrophile `(NO_(2)^(+))`
(ii) Attack of an electrophile to benzene ring forming the carbocation
(iii) Loss of proton from carbocation giving nitrobenzene .
The attack of elctrophilic to benzene ring giving a carbocation is the slowest and rate determining step.