Question

Which of the following compounds will be most easily attacked by an electrophile?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

All $—OH$, $—Cl$, $—C{H}_3$ groups in benzene are ortho-para directing groups and activate the ring towards electrophilic substitution reaction. But, among these $—OH$ group is strongly activating while $—C{H}_3$ is weakly activating and $—Cl$ is deactivating. Thus, phenol will be most easily attacked by an electrophile