Question

Name the compound which is most reactive towards electrophilic substitution.

Answer 1

Hint: In order to answer this question we should first understand electrophilic substitution types of electrophilic substitution and also we will discuss the compound which is most reactive towards the reaction and its explanation.

Complete answer:
An electrophilic substitution reaction is a chemical reaction in which the functional group attached to a compound is replaced by an electrophile. The displaced functional group is typically a hydrogen atom. Electrophilic substitution reactions generally proceed via a three-step mechanism that involves the following steps.
\[ \bullet \]The generation of an electrophile
\[ \bullet \]The formation of a carbocation (which is an intermediate)
\[ \bullet \]The removal of a proton from the intermediate
Types of Electrophilic Substitution Reactions:
The two primary types of electrophilic substitution reactions undergone by organic compounds are electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions and electrophilic aliphatic substitution reactions.
The compound which is most reactive towards the electrophilic substitution is the Methyl group. Activating groups attached to the benzene ring increase the reactivity of benzene towards electrophilic substitution.
Explanation:
The Methyl group is the electron releasing group. The methyl group induces a positive inductive effect on the ring which increases the electron density on the nitrogen atom so draws the electrophile towards it for substitution. The reactivity of the benzene ring increases with an increase in the electron density on it. The groups that increase the electron density on the ring also increase the reactivity towards electrophilic substitution. These groups which show \[ + I\] or \[ + M\] effects like alkyl, alkoxy etc., release electrons towards the benzene ring.

Note:
Substitution reactions in organic chemistry are classified either as electrophilic or nucleophilic depending upon the reagent involved, whether a reactive intermediate involved in the reaction is a carbocation, a carbanion or a free radical, and whether the substrate is aliphatic or aromatic.