The order of decreasing reactivity towards an electrophilic reagent, for the following:
I. Benzene II. Toluene III. Chlorobenzene IV. Phenol

Options

A. I `gt` II `gt` III `gt` IV
B. II `gt` IV `gt` I `gt` III
C. IV `gt` III `gt` II `gt` I
D. IV `gt` II `gt` I `gt` III

Answer

D

Explanation

Benzene having any activating group, ie, OH, R etc. undergoes electrophilic substitution very easily as compared to benzene itself. Thus, toluene `(C_(6)H_(5)CH_(3))` nad phenol `(C_(6)H_(5)OH)` undergo electrophilic substitution very readily than benzene. Chlorine with +E and +M effect deactivates the ring due to strong -I effect. So, it is difficult to carry out the substitution in chlorobenzene, so correct order is `underset("IV")("phenol")gtunderset("II")("toluene") gtunderset("I")("benzene")gtunderset("III")("chlorobenzene")`