Which of the following groups is o-p directing but deactivates benzene ring for electrophilic substitution?

Options

A. `-CH_(3)`
B. `-NH_(2)`
C. `-Cl`
D. `-NO_(2)`

Explanation

To solve the question, "Which of the following groups is o-p directing but deactivates the benzene ring for electrophilic substitution?", we need to analyze the behavior of different functional groups in relation to their directing effects and their ability to deactivate the benzene ring.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Directing Effects**:
- In electrophilic aromatic substitution, groups can be classified based on their directing effects:
- **Ortho-para directing**: These groups direct incoming electrophiles to the ortho or para positions relative to themselves.
- **Meta directing**: These groups direct incoming electrophiles to the meta position.

2. **Identify Electron Donating and Withdrawing Groups**:
- Groups can also be classified based on whether they donate or withdraw electron density from the benzene ring:
- **Electron donating groups (EDGs)**: These groups increase the electron density on the benzene ring, making it more reactive towards electrophiles.
- **Electron withdrawing groups (EWGs)**: These groups decrease the electron density on the benzene ring, making it less reactive towards electrophiles.

3. **Analyze Each Option**:
- **Option A: Methyl Group (–CH₃)**:
- The methyl group is an electron donating group due to hyperconjugation. It is ortho-para directing but does not deactivate the ring.
- **Option B: Primary Amine (–NH₂)**:
- The primary amine has a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen, making it an electron donating group. It is also ortho-para directing and does not deactivate the ring.
- **Option C: Halogen (–X)**:
- Halogens (like Cl, Br, I) have lone pairs and can donate electrons through resonance (–M effect), making them ortho-para directing. However, they also have a strong electronegative character that withdraws electrons through the inductive effect (–I effect), which can deactivate the ring.
- **Option D: Nitro Group (–NO₂)**:
- The nitro group is an electron withdrawing group due to its strong –M effect, making it meta directing and does not fit the criteria.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the given options, the halogen (Option C) is the only group that is ortho-para directing but also deactivates the benzene ring for electrophilic substitution due to its –I effect.

### Final Answer:
**Option C: Halogen (–X)**