Question

Which of the following would be least reactive towards bromine.

• A. Nitrobenzene
• B. Phenol
• C. Anisole
• D. Chlorobenzene

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Nitrobenzene

Answer 2

Nitrobenzene is least reactive towards bromine because of presence of $- \mathrm { NO } _ { 2 }$ group decreases electron density at o and p positions and hence attack of electrophile on the benzene nucleus is difficult because + ve charge on o and p position repel the incoming electrophile.