Which one of the following compounds will undergo meta substitution (mainly) on monochlorination?

Options

A. chlorobenzene
B. phenol
C. ethyl benzoate
D. ethoxybenzene

Answer

C

Explanation

The `-Cl` of chlorobenzene is weakly deactivating but has ortho-para directing influence. The `-OH` group of phenol is strongly activating the `-OC_(2)H_(5)` group of ethoxybenzene is moderately activating but the `-overset(O)overset(||)(C)-OC_(2)H_(5) ` group of ethylbenzoate is moderately deactivating and exerts meta directing influence on account of `-I_("effect")` and `-R_("effect")`