Question

Among the following compounds, the most reactive compound towards nitration is:

• A. benzene
• B. nitrobenzene
• C. toluene
• D. chloro benzene

Answer 1

The correct option is C toluene

Electrophilic nitration involves attack of nitronium ion on a benzene ring. The reactivity of benzene ring increases with increase in the $e^{-}$ density on it, The group which increases the electron density on the ring, also increase the reactivity towards electrophilic substitution. These group +I effect like alkyl or alkoxy etc. release $e^{-}$ towards the Benzene ring.

Nitro and chloro have $-I$ effect, so nitrobenzene and chlorobenzene are less reactive.
Toluene is more reactive than benzene due to extra $e^{-}$ donating $-C{H}_3$ group on it.

Hence, option $C$ is correct.