The decreasing order of reactivity towards electrophilic substitution of the following is:
I) Nitrobenzene II) Chlorobenzene III) Toluene IV) Benzene

Options

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

Answer

C

Explanation

EDG increases SF reactivity and EWG decreases SE reactivity. (III) `Ph-CH_(3)` (+I and H.C. effect) `gt` (IV) `(C_(6)H_(6))gt` (II) `Ph-Cl` (-I effect, +R effect, but -I effect decides reactivity, whereas +R effect decides orientation, i.e., o-and p-directing `gt` (I) `(Ph-NO_(2))` (-I and -R effects).