Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Benzenediazonium salt is prepared by the reaction of aniline with nitrous acid at 273–278 K. It decomposes easily in the dry state.
Statement II: Insertion of iodine into the benzene ring is difficult and hence iodobenzene is prepared through the reaction of benzenediazonium salt with KI.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

CONCEPT:

Benzenediazonium Salt and Iodobenzene Preparation

• Benzenediazonium salt is an important intermediate in organic synthesis, prepared by reacting aniline with nitrous acid under cold conditions (273–278 K).
• Benzenediazonium salts are unstable in the dry state and decompose easily, releasing nitrogen gas.
• Direct iodination of benzene is difficult due to the low reactivity of iodine, but iodobenzene can be synthesized by reacting benzenediazonium salt with potassium iodide (KI), leveraging the high reactivity of the diazonium group.

EXPLANATION:

• Statement I:
  • Benzenediazonium salt is indeed prepared by the reaction of aniline with nitrous acid at 273–278 K.
  • It is unstable in the dry state, decomposing readily due to the release of nitrogen gas.
  • Hence, Statement I is correct.
    
• Statement II:
  • Iodine insertion directly into the benzene ring is challenging due to iodine's low reactivity.
  • Iodobenzene can be efficiently prepared via the reaction of benzenediazonium salt with KI, as the diazonium group facilitates substitution with iodine.
  • Hence, Statement II is correct.
    

Therefore, both Statement I and Statement II are correct.