Among the following compounds the one that is most reactive towards electrophilic nitration is

Options

A. Toluene
B. benzene
C. benzoic acid
D. nitrobenzene

Explanation

To determine which compound is most reactive towards electrophilic nitration among the given options, we need to analyze the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing effects of the substituents on the aromatic ring. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand Electrophilic Nitration
Electrophilic nitration involves the introduction of a nitro group (NO2) into an aromatic compound. The nitro group is an electron-withdrawing group, which means it pulls electron density away from the aromatic ring.

### Step 2: Analyze the Given Compounds
We need to evaluate the reactivity of the following compounds towards electrophilic nitration:
- A) Toluene (C6H5CH3)
- B) Benzene (C6H6)
- C) Benzoic Acid (C6H5COOH)
- D) Nitrobenzene (C6H5NO2)

### Step 3: Evaluate Each Compound
1. **Toluene (A)**: Toluene has a methyl group (-CH3) attached to the benzene ring. The methyl group is an electron-donating group due to hyperconjugation and inductive effects. This increases the electron density on the benzene ring, making it more reactive towards electrophiles like NO2.

2. **Benzene (B)**: Benzene itself has no substituents that can donate or withdraw electrons. Therefore, it has a moderate reactivity towards electrophilic nitration.

3. **Benzoic Acid (C)**: Benzoic acid has a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), which is an electron-withdrawing group. This decreases the electron density on the benzene ring, making it less reactive towards electrophilic nitration compared to toluene and benzene.

4. **Nitrobenzene (D)**: Nitrobenzene contains a nitro group (-NO2), which is also an electron-withdrawing group. This significantly reduces the electron density on the benzene ring, making it the least reactive towards electrophilic nitration.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Among the given compounds, toluene is the most reactive towards electrophilic nitration due to the presence of the electron-donating methyl group, which enhances the electron density of the benzene ring.

**Final Answer: A) Toluene**

---