Which of the following compounds will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which of the following compounds will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily?
Benzene
Toluene
Chlorobenzene
Nitrobenzene
Toluene will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily due to the electron-donating effect of the methyl group.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which of the following compounds will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily?
Solution: Toluene will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily due to the electron-donating effect of the methyl group.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand what electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is. It is a reaction where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring.
Step 2: Identify the compounds given in the question. Look for toluene and other aromatic compounds.
Step 3: Recognize that some groups attached to the aromatic ring can either donate or withdraw electrons.
Step 4: Note that a methyl group (as in toluene) is an electron-donating group. This means it helps the aromatic ring to react more easily with electrophiles.
Step 5: Compare toluene with other compounds. If they have electron-withdrawing groups, they will not react as readily as toluene.
Step 6: Conclude that toluene, with its electron-donating methyl group, will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution most readily.