Question

What specific electrophile does benzene attack when it undergoes nitration??

Answer 1

The reaction is as follows:
        C6H6   +   HNO3   +      H2SO4     ------------> C6H5NO2   +   H2O
(BENZENE) (NITRIC ACID)(CATALYST)
NO2(+) is the electrophile that acctacks on the benzene ring in nitration process.