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.