Question

Write the sequence of steps required for the conversion of benzene into benzenediazonium chloride.

Short answer

The leaving group of a diazonium ion can be replaced by a nucleophile very easily as the nitrogen gas is a leaving group and stable. Some displacements occur using phenyl cations, and others happen using radicals.

Step-by-step solution

Synthesizing substituted benzenes using arene diazonium salts

The leaving group of a diazonium ion can be replaced by a nucleophile very easily as the nitrogen gas is a leaving group and stable. Some displacements occur using phenyl cations, and others happen using radicals.

Conversion of benzene to benzene diazonium chloride

Benzene reacts with HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ to form nitrobenzene. This further reacts with hydrogen and palladium catalyst to form aniline. This reacts with sodium nitrite and HCl at 100 degrees Celsius to form benzene diazonium chloride.