Question

The order of decreasing reactivity towards electrophilic reagent for the following given compounds is:
a) benzene
b) toluene
c) chlorobenzene
d) phenol

• A. b > d > a > c
• B. d > c > b > a
• C. d > b > a > c
• D. a > b > c > d

Answer 1

The correct option is C d > b > a > c

The order of decreasing reactivity towards electrophilic reagent is
d) Phenol > b) Toluene > a) Benzene > c) Chloro benzene.

Chlorine has strong $-I$ effect. Hence, it deactivates the ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction.

Hence, the reactivity of chlorobenzene is lower than the reactivity of benzene.

The reactivity of phenol and toluene is higher than the reactivity of benzene. $-OH$ group and methyl group increase the electron density on benzene ring as they are electron releasing groups.

Thus, they activate the ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction.

Option C is correct.