In electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, the nitro group is meta directing because it

Options

A. Decreases electron density at meta position
B. Increases electron density at meta position
C. Increases electron density at ortho and para position
D. Decreases electron density at ortho and para positions

Answer

D

Explanation

The directive influence of `-NO_(2)` as an electrophile in electrophilic aromatic substitution is due to the – I effect or electron withdrawing effect of , `-NO_(2)` and can be explained on the basis of the resonating structures obtained by the attack of the group on the benzene ring

The substituent, i.e., `-NO_(2)` withdraws electrons from o- and p-positions. Thus, m-position becomes a point of relatively high electron density and further substitution by electrophile occurs at m-position.