Question
Chemistry Question on Chemical Reactions
Chlorobenzene is ...... reactive than benzene towards electrophilic substitution and directs the incoming electrophile to the ...... position.
A
more, ortho/para
B
less, ortho/para
C
more, meta
D
less, meta
Answer
less, ortho/para
Explanation
Solution
−Cl group (−7) of chlorobenzene being deactivating, deactivates the benzene nucleus towards electrophilic substitution.
Hence, chlorobenzene is less reactive as compared to benzene towards electrophilic substitution.
Moreover chlorobenzene has the following canonical forms:
From the above, it is clear that Cl-atom increases electron density at ortho and para-position.
Thus, it directs the incoming electrophile to the ortho/para position.