Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS)
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring. This reaction is crucial for modifying aromatic compounds, such as biphenyl, and is influenced by the substituents already present on the ring, which can either activate or deactivate the ring towards further substitution.
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Activating and Deactivating Groups
Substituents on an aromatic ring can be classified as activating or deactivating based on their electronic effects. Activating groups, like hydroxyl (-OH), increase the electron density of the ring, making it more reactive towards electrophiles. Conversely, deactivating groups withdraw electron density, making the ring less reactive. Understanding these effects is essential for predicting the site of substitution in reactions like nitration.
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Activating and deactivating groups
Ortho/Para-Directing Effects
In EAS reactions, substituents can direct incoming electrophiles to specific positions on the aromatic ring. Ortho and para directing groups, such as -OH, favor substitution at the ortho and para positions relative to themselves. This directing effect is vital for predicting the products of reactions involving biphenyl, as it determines where the new substituent will be added on the ring.
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Ortho, Para major products