Q.Write down the product(s) formed on reduction of nitrobenzene in neutral, acidic and alkaline media. [1+1+1]

Nitrobenzene's reduction product depends on the medium: aniline (acidic), phenylhydroxylamine (neutral), azoxybenzene onward (alkaline).

Nitrobenzene ($C_6H_5NO_2$) can be reduced to different products depending on the reaction conditions:

1. Acidic medium (e.g. $Sn/HCl$ or $Fe/HCl$, followed by treatment with alkali): reduction proceeds all the way through nitroso and hydroxylamine intermediates to give aniline, $C_6H_5NH_2$, the fully reduced (6-electron reduction) product.

2. Neutral medium (e.g. $Zn$ dust + aqueous $NH_4Cl$): the reduction is milder and stops partway, giving phenylhydroxylamine, $C_6H_5NHOH$.

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