Question

Out of benzene and phenol, phenol is more easily nitrated because____________.

• A. presene of -OH group in phenol increases the electron density at ortho and para - position
• B. presene of -OH group in phenol decreases the electron density at ortho and para - position
• C. nitration being electrophilic substitution requires less density at ortho and para- position
• D. phenol is more reactive than benzene due to -R effect

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

presene of -OH group in phenol increases the electron density at ortho and para - position

The -OH group attached to the benzene ring in phenol activates, it towards electrophilic substitution. It directs the incoming group to ortho and para positions in the ring as these positions become electron rich due to electronic effect (also mesomeric effect) caused by -OH group.

This factor is not present in benzene.

Out of benzene and phenol, phenol is more easily nitrated because of the presence of -OH group in phenol increases the electron density at ortho and para - position