Answer to Question #166790 in Organic Chemistry for Parul

Question

Explain the reduction of nitrobenzene using different reagents.

Answer 1

In strong acidic medium, nitrobenzene is reduced to aniline in presence of Sn/HCl.

C6​H5​−NO2​+6[H] Sn + HCl ​C6​H5​−NH2​+2H2​O

In neutral medium, nitrobenzene is reduced to nitrosobenzene in presence of Zn dust and ammonium chloride. Further reduction gives phenyl hydroxyl amine.

C6​H5​−NO2​ Zn dust + NH4​Cl​C6​H5​−N=O 2[H] ​C6​H5​−NH−OH

In acidic medium, nitrobenzene is reduced to a mixture of nitrosobenzene and phenyl hydroxyl amine.

C6​H5​−NO2​ Zn + NaOH ​C6​H5​−N=O+C6​H5​−NH−OH