If aniline is treated with 1:1 mixture of conc. `HNO_(3)` and conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)` , p-nitroaniline and m-nitroaniline 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

`-NH_(2)` group in aniline is o-and p- directing and activating. But in the presence of acids, most of the aniline gets protonated to form anilinium ion, i.e.- `NH_(3)^(+)` , which is m-directing.