Benzene undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) predominantly. The high electron density of the aromatic \(\pi\) system makes benzene an electron donor that attracts electrophiles. The reaction proceeds via a carbocation intermediate (arenium ion/Wheland intermediate), followed by deprotonation to restore aromaticity. Nucleophilic substitution on benzene requires special conditions (e.g., very strong electron-withdrawing groups).