Question

Although chlorine is electron-withdrawing, it is ortho- and para-directing in electrophilic substitution because • (A) Chlorine withdraws electrons through inductive effect.
(B) Chlorine destabilizes the intermediate carbocation formed during electrophilic sub-stitution.
(C) Chlorine accepts electrons through resonance
(D) Chlorine releases electrons through resonance.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A) Chlorine withdraws electrons through inductive effect
• B. (B) Chlorine destabilizes carbocation
• C. (C) Chlorine accepts electrons via resonance
• D. (D) Chlorine releases electrons through resonance

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

(B) Chlorine destabilizes carbocation

Answer 2

Chlorine is an electron-withdrawing group due to its high electronegativity, which withdraws electrons through the inductive effect. However, chlorine also has lone pairs that participate in resonance, donating electron density to the ring at the ortho and para positions. This resonance effect makes chlorine an ortho- and para-directing group in electrophilic substitution reactions.