Statement I: Aryl halides can be prepared by reaction of arenes with iodine in the presence of an oxidizing agent

Statement II: Oxidizing agents oxidizes I₂ to HI

Statement I is correct but statement II is false

The answer is actually (3) statement I is correct but statement II is false.

Statement I is correct because aryl halides can be prepared by reaction of arenes with iodine in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent oxidizes I₂ to HI, which is then used to halogenate the benzene ring.

Statement II is false because oxidizing agents do not oxidize I₂ to HI. In fact, HI is used to reduce I₂ to iodide ions.

The correct explanation for why statement I is correct is that the oxidizing agent creates a more electrophilic environment around the benzene ring, making it more susceptible to halogenation.

Here is the reaction scheme for the preparation of aryl halides from arenes:

\[Ar + I_2 \overset{\text{oxidizing agent}}{------\rightarrow} ArI + HX\]

As you can see, the oxidizing agent is necessary to create a more electrophilic environment around the benzene ring. However, the oxidizing agent does not actually oxidize I₂ to HI.

Therefore, statement I is correct but statement II is false.