Which position on the benzene ring does a nitro group preferentially substitute when starting from nitrobenzene?

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Q: Which position on the benzene ring does a nitro group preferentially substitute when starting from nitrobenzene?

Solution: The nitro group is a deactivating and meta-directing group, so the substitution occurs predominantly at the meta position.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand that a benzene ring is a six-carbon ring with alternating double bonds.
Step 2: Know that a nitro group (-NO2) is a substituent that can attach to the benzene ring.
Step 3: Recognize that the nitro group is considered a deactivating group, meaning it makes the ring less reactive to further substitutions.
Step 4: Learn that the nitro group is also meta-directing, which means it prefers to direct new substituents to the meta position relative to itself.
Step 5: Identify the positions on the benzene ring: ortho (next to), meta (one carbon away), and para (opposite).
Step 6: Conclude that when starting from nitrobenzene, any new substituent will most likely attach at the meta position.