Which of the following statements about the reaction shown here is true?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement that the intermediate for the ortho and para pathways has positive and partial positive charges on adjacent atoms whereas the meta pathway intermediate does not is true. This is due to the fact that the ortho and para pathways involve attack on the carbocation intermediate that forms on the ring, which places the positive charge on adjacent atoms, while the meta pathway involves attack on a different intermediate that does not have adjacent positive charges. The other statements are not true for this reaction. It is not necessarily true that the ortho and para pathways are disfavored due to steric hindrance, nor that sulfuric acid and nitric acid in combination direct groups to the meta position. The reaction may or may not produce benzoic acid depending on the choice of reagents and conditions, and the reaction is not specifically a Friedel-Crafts acylation.

Which of the Following Statements About the Reaction Shown Here