Arrange the following compounds in the decreasing order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution reaction. (I) Chlorobenzene (II) Nitrobenzene (III) Benzene (IV) Isopropylbenzene

Step-by-step solution

The reactivity of benzene derivatives towards electrophilic aromatic substitution depends on the nature of the substituent attached to the benzene ring. Electron-donating groups (EDG) increase the electron density of the ring, making it more reactive, while electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) decrease the electron density, making it less reactive. Analyzing the substituents: 1. Isopropylbenzene (IV): The isopropyl group ( -CH(CH₃)₂ ) is an alkyl group. It acts as an electron-donating group through the inductive effec