Which is most readily nitrated

Options

A. Benzene
B. Phenol
C. Aniline
D. Nitrobenzene

Answer

B

Explanation

`NO_2^(+)` cation is required for nitration which is formed by strong dehydrating agent like `H_2SO_4`
`HO - NO_2 underset(HSO_4^(-))overset(H-HSO_4)hArr OH_2^(+) - NO_2 underset(-H_2O)to Noverset(+)O_2`
Nitration of aniline with nitric acid is not possible directly as nitric acid oxidizes and destroys the highly activated ring.
`-NO_2` group is electron withdrawing group, so its presence deactivates benzene ring for further nitration.
`-OH` group activates the benzene ring, so nitration is much easier than benzene.
So the activity order of nitration (attack by electrophile `Noverset(+)O_2)` : Phenol > Benzene > Nitrobenzene.