If Aniline is treated with 1:1 mixture of con `HNO_(3)` and con. `H_(2)SO_(4)`,p-nitroaniline and mnitroaniline are formed nearly in equal amounts.This is due to

Options

A. m-directing property of —`NH_(2)` group
B. protonation of -`NH_(2)` which causes deactivation of benzene ring
C. m- and p-directing property of —`NH_(2)` group
D. isomerization of some p-nitroaniline into m-nitroaniline.

Answer

B

Explanation

(b): `-NH_(2)` group in aniline is o, p-directing and activating while in presence of acids, most of the aniline gets protonated to form anilinium ion i.e., `-ovrset(+)(N)H_(3)` which is m-directing and deactivating.