In electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, the nitro group is meta directing because it :

Options

A. decreases electron density at meta position
B. increases electron density at meta position
C. increases electron density at ortho and para positions.
D. decreases electrons density at orto and para positions.

Answer

D

Explanation

The directive influence of `-NO_(2)` as an electrophile kn electrophilic aromatic substitution is due to the -I effect or electron withdrawing effect of `-NO_(2)`, and can be explained on the basis of the resonating structures obtained by the attack of the group on the benzene ring.

The substituent i.e. `-NO_(2)` withdraws electrons form o-n and p- positions. Thus m- position becomes a point of relatively high electron density and further substitution by electrophile occurs at m- position.