Arrange the following in increasing order of reactivity towards nitration
A. p-xylene
B. bromobenzene
C. mesitylene
D. nitrobenzene
E. benzene
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
A. p-xylene
B. bromobenzene
C. mesitylene
D. nitrobenzene
E. benzene
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
- (A)C < D < E < A < B
- (B)D < B < E < A < C✓ Correct
- (C)D < C < E < A < B
- (D)C < D < E < B < A
Answer: (B)
Solution
Reactivity towards electrophilic aromatic substitution (nitration) depends on the activating/deactivating nature of substituents. The -NO₂ group is strongly deactivating (least reactive), -Br is weakly deactivating, benzene is the reference, and -CH₃ groups are activating (most reactive). More methyl groups increase reactivity. Therefore: nitrobenzene (D) < bromobenzene (B) < benzene (E) < p-xylene (A, 2 CH₃) < mesitylene (C, 3 CH₃). The correct order is D < B < E < A < C.
JEE Main · 2022 · 28 Jul 2022 · Shift 2 · Single correct option