What is the effect of a nitro group on the reactivity of benzene in electrophilic substitution?

1 question

1 item

Q: What is the effect of a nitro group on the reactivity of benzene in electrophilic substitution?

Solution: A nitro group is a strong electron-withdrawing group that deactivates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution.

Steps: 5

Step 1: Understand what a nitro group is. A nitro group is a functional group with the formula -NO2.
Step 2: Know that benzene is a stable ring of carbon atoms that can react with electrophiles in a process called electrophilic substitution.
Step 3: Learn that a nitro group is an electron-withdrawing group, meaning it pulls electrons away from the benzene ring.
Step 4: Realize that when the nitro group pulls electrons away, it makes the benzene ring less reactive towards electrophiles.
Step 5: Conclude that the presence of a nitro group deactivates the benzene ring, making it less likely to undergo electrophilic substitution.