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MCQEasyJEE 2026Electrophilic Substitution in Benzene

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Benzene is nitrated to give nitrobenzene, which on further treatment with CH3COCl/AlCl3CH_3COCl / AlCl_3 will give the product shown.

A benzene ring bearing an acetyl group COCH3 and a nitro group NO2 at meta positions to each other.

Statement II: −NO2-NO_2 group is a meta-directing and deactivating group.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

  • A

    Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

  • B

    Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect

  • C

    Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

  • D

    Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Benzene is first nitrated to form nitrobenzene, and then treated with CH3COCl/AlCl3CH_3COCl / AlCl_3. Statement II says that −NO2-NO_2 is a meta-directing and deactivating group.

Find: Which of the two statements is correct.

Step 1: Analyze Statement I. Benzene on nitration gives nitrobenzene. The −NO2-NO_2 group is strongly electron-withdrawing and directs incoming electrophiles to the meta position. Thus, Friedel–Crafts acylation of nitrobenzene with CH3COCl/AlCl3CH_3COCl / AlCl_3 occurs at the meta position relative to the nitro group, giving the shown product. Hence, Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II. The nitro group (−NO2)(-NO_2) is a strong deactivating group due to its −I-I and −M-M effects. It reduces electron density in the benzene ring and directs electrophilic substitution reactions to the meta position. Thus, Statement II is also correct.

Conclusion: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. Therefore, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that all electrophilic substitutions on benzene derivatives occur at ortho and para positions. This is wrong because strongly electron-withdrawing groups such as −NO2-NO_2 direct substitution to the meta position. Always check the directing effect of the substituent first.

  • Ignoring the deactivating nature of the nitro group. This is wrong because −NO2-NO_2 reduces electron density in the ring through −I-I and −M-M effects. Use both activating/deactivating behavior and directing nature together while predicting products.

  • Confusing the shown product as para-substituted because the acyl group looks separated from the nitro group on the ring diagram. This is wrong because ring positions must be counted systematically. Identify the nitro group as reference and count positions to verify that the acyl group is meta to it.

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