Question

What is the reason for the formation of a meta product in the following reaction?

• A. Aniline is ortho/para directing
• B. Aniline is meta directing
• C. In acidic medium, aniline is converted into anilinium ion, which is ortho/para directing
• D. In acidic medium, aniline is converted into anilinium ion which is meta directing

Answer 1

The correct option is D In acidic medium, aniline is converted into anilinium ion which is meta directing

In an acidic medium, lone pair of electrons of nitrogen abstract a proton and gets converted into anilinium ion, which is a strong electron withdrawing group which deactivates the benzene ring and form a meta product.