What is the effect of a strong electron-donating group on the rate of electrophilic aromatic substitution?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the effect of a strong electron-donating group on the rate of electrophilic aromatic substitution?
Decreases the rate
Increases the rate
No effect
Reverses the reaction
Strong electron-donating groups increase the electron density of the aromatic ring, enhancing its reactivity towards electrophiles.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the effect of a strong electron-donating group on the rate of electrophilic aromatic substitution?
Solution: Strong electron-donating groups increase the electron density of the aromatic ring, enhancing its reactivity towards electrophiles.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand what an electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is. It is a reaction where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring.
Step 2: Know what an electron-donating group (EDG) is. These are groups that push electrons towards the aromatic ring, increasing its electron density.
Step 3: Identify what a strong electron-donating group is. Examples include -OH (hydroxyl), -OCH3 (methoxy), and -NH2 (amino).
Step 4: Realize that when a strong EDG is attached to the aromatic ring, it makes the ring more negatively charged or electron-rich.
Step 5: Understand that a more electron-rich aromatic ring is more attractive to electrophiles, which are positively charged or electron-deficient species.
Step 6: Conclude that because the ring is more reactive due to the increased electron density, the rate of electrophilic aromatic substitution is increased.
