Explain the fact that in aryl ethers (i) the alkoxy group activates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution and (ii) it directs the incoming substituents to ortho -and para -positions in benzene ring .

Explanation

In aryl ethers , the +R effect of the alkoxy . Group (-O-R) increases the electron density in the benzene ring thereby activating the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution reactions .

Since the electron density increases more at the two ortho and para positions as compared to meta positions , therefore , electrophilic substitutions reactions occur mainly at ortho and para positions Thus we can say that alkoxy group directs the incoming electrophilies to ortho and para positions in benzene ring .