Question

Given below are the two statements regarding chlorobenzene
Statement I: Chlorobenzene is less reactive than benzene towards electrophilic substitution due to the -I effect of chlorine.
Statement II: Because of the -I effect of chlorine, it is a meta directing group.

• A. Both statements I and II are correct.
• B. Both statements I and II are not correct.
• C. Statement I is correct but statement II is not correct.
• D. Statement I is not correct but statement II is correct.

Hint:

The -I effect reduces the electron density on the aromatic ring, making the ring less reactive in electrophilic substitution. Chlorine is meta-directing due to the combination of both the -I and +M effects, but the -I effect predominates in its deactivating influence.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

- Statement I is correct: Chlorobenzene is less reactive than benzene towards electrophilic substitution due to the -I effect of chlorine. Chlorine donates lone pair electrons to the aromatic ring through resonance, which decreases the electron density on the ring, making it less reactive.
- Statement II is incorrect: The -I effect of chlorine is deactivating and it directs incoming electrophiles to the meta position, but this is not because of the -I effect. The meta-directing property is due to the combination of the -I effect and the absence of a positive charge donation through resonance.