The animation

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The reaction

The reaction chosen is that between benzene and concentrated nitric acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid to give nitrobenzene:

C₆H₆ + HNO₃ à C₆H₅NO₂ + H₂O

The reaction is performed at 45 – 50 ^o C; any higher and there is extensive further nitration to 1,3-dinitrobenzene.

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