1 Answers
The nitronium ion, , is a cation. It is an onium ion because its nitrogen atom has +1 charge, similar to ammonium ion. It is created by the removal of an electron from the paramagnetic nitrogen dioxide molecule NO2, or the protonation of nitric acid HNO3.
It is stable enough to exist in normal conditions, but it is generally reactive and used extensively as an electrophile in the nitration of other substances. The ion is generated in situ for this purpose by mixing concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid according to the equilibrium:
4 views
Answered