Question

Benzoic acid does not undergo Friedel-Crafts reaction due to ------ of the benzene ring by the ------ effect of $-COOH$ group.

• A. Activation, electron donating
• B. Activation, electron withdrawing
• C. Deactivation, electron donating
• D. Deactivation, electron withdrawing

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Deactivation, electron withdrawing

Benzoic acid does not undergo Friedel-Crafts reaction due to deactivation of the benzene ring by the electron-withdrawing effect of $-COOH$ group.

The reaction is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. Aromatic nucleus acts as a nucleophile. Any group that decreases the electron density of aromatic nucleus, will deactivate the ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitution.