Question

Despite their $-I$ effect, halogens are 𝑜- and 𝑝- directing in haloarenes. Explain.

Answer 1

In case of aryl halides, halogens are little deactivating because of their strong $-I$ effect. Halogens are electronegative elements due to which they withdraw electron density from the benzene ring due to their $-I$ effect (inductive effect).



As a result, halogens are $o-,p-directing$.

The combined result of $+R$ effect and $–I$ effect of halogens is that halogens are deactivating but $o-,p-directinginnature$