Question

What makes a group on a benzene ring either an ortho-para or a meta director?

Accepted Answer

A monosubstituted benzene, when treated with an electrophile, could undergo three electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. Each reaction yields a disubstituted benzene as the organic product, which can be identified using the descriptors ortho, meta, and para. If the relative yield of the ortho product and that of the para product are higher than that of the meta product, then the substituent on the monosubstituted benzene is called an ortho, para directing group. If the opposite is observed, the substituent is called as a meta directing group.

Examples of ortho-, para– directors are hydroxyl groups, ethers, amines, alkyl groups, thiols, and halogens.

Examples of meta– directors include nitriles, carbonyl compounds (such as aldehydes, ketones, and esters), sulphones, electron-deficient alkyl groups, nitro groups, and alkylammoniums.

Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Materials, Exercise 15: Exercise 15

Sergey Bylikin Chemistry Solutions for Exercise - Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Materials, Exercise 15: Exercise 15

Questions from Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Materials, Exercise 15: Exercise 15 with Hints & Solutions

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