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

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

Solution: The methoxy group (-OCH3) is an activating group and directs electrophilic substitution to the ortho and para positions.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand what a benzene ring is. It is a circular arrangement of six carbon atoms with alternating double bonds.
Step 2: Learn about electrophilic substitution. This is a reaction where an electrophile (a positively charged species) replaces a hydrogen atom on the benzene ring.
Step 3: Identify what a methoxy group is. A methoxy group is -OCH3, which means it has an oxygen atom bonded to a carbon atom that is also bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
Step 4: Know that the methoxy group is an activating group. This means it makes the benzene ring more reactive towards electrophiles.
Step 5: Learn about directing effects. The methoxy group directs electrophiles to the ortho (next to) and para (opposite) positions on the benzene ring.
Step 6: Conclude that when a methoxy group is present on a benzene ring, it increases the reactivity of the ring and influences where new substituents will attach.