Question

In electrophillic aromatic substitution reaction, the nitro group is meta directing because it

• A. increases electron density at meta position
• B. increases electron density at ortho and para positions
• C. decreases electron density at ortho and para positions
• D. decreases electron density at meta position

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

decreases electron density at ortho and para positions

Answer 2

When nitro group is present in the benzene nucleus, it withdraws electrons from $o$ and $p$ -positions. Thus, the electron density at the $o$ and $p$ -positions decreases. $m$ -positions become positions of comparatively higher electron density and therefore, electrophilic attack occurs at $m$ -positions.