The kinetics of the sulphonation of benzene have been measured at 5.0", 25.0" and 45.0" in aqueous sulphuric acid solutions, varying from 77.6 to 99.2 wt-% HzS04. In addition, sulphonation rate measurements have been made at 5.0" in 98.8 wt-% HzS04 containing various concentrations of sodium bisulphate. All reactions were found to be first order with respect to benzene. The kinetics are discussed in terms of the mechanism:It is suggested that sulphur trioxide or, though less probable, the sulphuric acid solvate of sulphur trioxide S03(H2S04) or disulphuric acid (H&07), is the sulphonating entity X and that kl < k2 1 B / + k3. No kinetic distinction can be made between the deprotonation by reaction [2] and the less probable intramolecular proton shift (reaction [3]).A comparison between the mechanisms of sulphonation in aqueous and fuming sulphuric acid furnishes additional evidence that so3, instead of S03(HzS04) or HzSz07, should be regarded as the sulphonating entity.