Consider the following reactions to form products P, Q, R, and S: I. Benzene + CH ₃ COCl Anhydrous AlCl ₃ P II. Toluene + CH ₃ COCl Anhydrous AlCl ₃ Q (major product) III. Phenol + ( CH ₃ CO )₂ O Pyridine R IV. Aniline + ( CH ₃ CO )₂ O Pyridine S The correct increasing order of reactivity of the products P, Q, R, and S towards aromatic electrophilic substitution is:

Step-by-step solution

First, identify the products of the given reactions: Reaction I produces P (Acetophenone). The - COCH ₃ group is strongly deactivating due to -R and -I effects. Reaction II produces Q (4-Methylacetophenone). It contains a deactivating - COCH ₃ group and an activating - CH ₃ group ( +I, +H ). The presence of the methyl group makes Q less deactivated than P. Reaction III produces R (Phenyl acetate). The - OCOCH ₃ group is activating due to its +R effect. Reaction IV produces S (Acetanilide). The - NHCOCH ₃ group is a