Rank the following compounds in order of increasing reactivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reactivity of electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions depends primarily on the electron density of the aromatic ring. The more electron-rich the ring, the more reactive it is toward electrophiles.

I is a neutral molecule, and the nitrogen does not significantly increase the electron density of the ring. II has a methoxy group, which is an electron-donating group, and increases the electron density of the ring. III has a nitro group, which is an electron-withdrawing group, and decreases the electron density of the ring. IV has a chloro substituent, which is slightly electron-withdrawing, but not as much as the nitro group.

Therefore, compounds can be ranked in order of increasing reactivity: III < IV < I < II. The correct answer choice is B, which lists the compounds in this order.

Rank the Following Compounds in Order of Increasing Reactivity in Electrophilic