KCET2009ChemistryHaloalkanes and Haloarenes
In electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, the nitro group is meta directing because it
Options
- Adecreases electron density at ortho and para positions
- Bdecreases electron density at meta position
- Cincreases electron density at meta position
- Dincreases electron density at ortho and para positions
Correct answer
A. decreases electron density at ortho and para positions
Step-by-step solution
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.