Question

Although Cl is electron withdrawing group yet it is ortho para directing towards electrophilic reactions. Why

Answer 1

Dear student,
The resonance effect tends to oppose the inductive effect for the attack at ortho- and para- positions and hence makes the deactivation less for ortho- and para- attack.
The -I effect of chlorine is stronger than its +R effect, hence chlorine causes net deactivation.
Therefore, in electrophilic substitution reactions of chlorobenzene, the ortho/ para directing ability of chlorine is due to the positive resonance effect.
Regards