Question

Which of the following has +R (resonance) effect?
a.) $$-CN$$
b.) $$-CHO$$
c.) $$-N{H}_2$$
d.) $$-N{O}_2$$

Answer 1

Hint: +R effect is the positive resonance effect and it is shown by electron donating groups. We can take help of canonical structures to see how there is a withdrawal or releasing effect of electrons attributed to a particular substituent through the delocalization of π or pi-electron.

Complete step by step answer:
The two types of resonance or mesomeric effects. They are-
+R or +M
-R or -M
Negative resonance or mesomeric effect (-M or -R): It is shown by the groups that withdraw electrons by delocalization mechanism from the rest of the conjugated molecule and are denoted by -M or -R. The electron density on the rest of the molecular entity is decreased due to this effect.
Examples of groups showing negative resonance are $$N{O}_2$$, CO, COOH, CN, CHO etc.
Positive resonance or mesomeric effect (+M or +R): It is shown by the groups that donates or releases electrons to the rest of the conjugated molecule by delocalization. These groups are denoted by +M or +R. Due to this effect, the electron density on the rest of the molecular entity is increased.
Examples of groups showing positive resonance are $$N{H}_2$$, OR, SH, OH etc.

Now, let us see the options given and check if they are electron donating or withdrawing.
At first we have –CN. Cyanide group has a positive group i.e. C directly attached to the benzene ring. Therefore, it will show –R resonance effect.
Then we have –CHO. Here also we have a positive group carbon directly attached to the benzene ring and it will pull electrons towards it. Thus, it will show –R effect.
Next we have $$-N{H}_2$$ . Here, the negative group is attached to the benzene ring and thus will donate its electron cloud resulting in +R effect.
The mechanism can be given as below.

And lastly we have $-N{O}_2$. If we compare nitrogen and oxygen, nitrogen is more electropositive therefore it will show –R effect.
We can understand from the above discussion that $-N{H}_2$ will show +R.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: There is polarity produced in a molecule by the interaction between a lone electron pair and a pi bond. It is generally found in molecules with conjugated double bonds or in molecules having at least one lone pair and one double bond.
A carbocation is stabilised through +R effect i.e. resonance of the positive charge around the ring. But there are some cases where an alkyl carbocation with a +I effect is more stable than a carbocation with +R group although resonance effect has higher priority.