Question

Which of the following is most reactive towards electrophilic substitution reaction?

• A. Anisole
• B. Benzene
• C. Phenol
• D. Nitrobenzene

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$\left(A\right)$ $Phenol$

The rate of electrophilic substitution reaction is directly proportional to nucleophilicity of Benzene ring. The group which increase the electron density in benzene ring i.e. electron donating group increase the nucleophilicity of Benzene ring which results in an increase in the rate of reaction towards electrophilic substitution $R{n}^n$ . In series of activating group $OH$ comes first then $OC{H}_3$, hence, phenol is most reactive towards electrophilic substitution reaction.