Explain the fact that in aryl ethers, (i) the alkoxy group activates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution and (ii) it directs the incoming substituents to ortho and para positions in benzene ring.

Explanation

In aryl alkyl ethers, the +R-effect of the alkoxy (OR) group increases the electron density in the benzene ring, the benzene ring, thereby activating the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution reaction.

Since the electron density increases more at the two ortho and one para position as compared to meta position therefore, electrophilic substitution reactions mainly occur at o-and-positions.