Presence of a nitro group in a benzene ring
- (A)activates the ring towards electrophilic substitution
- (B)renders the ring basic
- (C)deactivates the ring towards nucleophilic substitution
- (D)deactivates the ring towards electrophilic substitution✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
The nitro group withdraws electron density strongly from the ring, both by its inductive pull and by its resonance effect, leaving the ring electron-poor. An electron-poor ring is less attractive to the electrophiles involved in aromatic substitution, so the reaction is retarded. The nitro substituent therefore deactivates the ring towards electrophilic substitution.
JEE Main · 2007 · 29 Apr 2007 · Offline · Single correct option