The correct order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution is

Options

A. benzene > phenol > benzoic acid > chlorobenzene
B. phenol > benzene > chlorobenzene > benzoic acid
C. chlorobenzene > benzoic acid > phenol > benzene
D. benzoic acid > chlorobenzene > benzenegtphenol.

Explanation

To determine the correct order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution for the compounds benzene, phenol, benzoic acid, and chlorobenzene, we will analyze the influence of substituents on the aromatic ring.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compounds**:
- Benzene (C6H6)
- Phenol (C6H5OH)
- Benzoic Acid (C6H5COOH)
- Chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl)

2. **Understand Electrophilic Substitution**:
- Electrophilic substitution reactions involve the replacement of a hydrogen atom in the aromatic ring with an electrophile. The reactivity of the aromatic compound depends on the nature of the substituents attached to the ring.

3. **Classify Substituents**:
- **Electron Donating Groups (EDGs)**: These groups increase the electron density on the aromatic ring, making it more reactive towards electrophiles. Example: -OH (in phenol).
- **Electron Withdrawing Groups (EWGs)**: These groups decrease the electron density on the aromatic ring, making it less reactive towards electrophiles. Examples: -COOH (in benzoic acid), -Cl (in chlorobenzene).

4. **Analyze Each Compound**:
- **Phenol**: The -OH group is an electron donating group due to resonance, which enhances the electron density on the benzene ring, making phenol highly reactive towards electrophilic substitution.
- **Benzene**: This is a neutral compound with no substituents that affect its reactivity. It has moderate reactivity.
- **Chlorobenzene**: The -Cl group is an electron withdrawing group due to its electronegativity (minus M effect), which decreases the electron density on the ring, making it less reactive than benzene.
- **Benzoic Acid**: The -COOH group is a strong electron withdrawing group (minus R effect) that significantly decreases the electron density on the ring, making it the least reactive towards electrophilic substitution.

5. **Determine the Order of Reactivity**:
- Based on the analysis, the order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution is:
- **Phenol > Benzene > Chlorobenzene > Benzoic Acid**

6. **Select the Correct Option**:
- From the provided options, the correct order of reactivity is found in **Option 2**: Phenol > Benzene > Chlorobenzene > Benzoic Acid.

### Final Answer:
The correct order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution is:
**Phenol > Benzene > Chlorobenzene > Benzoic Acid** (Option 2).