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 synthesizing various aromatic compounds. The position of substitution (ortho, meta, or para) depends on the nature of the substituents already present on the ring, which can either activate or deactivate the ring towards further substitution.
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Substituent Effects
Substituent effects refer to how different groups attached to the benzene ring influence the reactivity and orientation of electrophilic aromatic substitution. Activating groups, such as -OH or -NH2, direct substitution to the ortho and para positions, while deactivating groups, like -NO2 or -CF3, favor meta substitution. Understanding these effects is essential for predicting the outcome of EAS reactions.
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Meta vs. Ortho/Para Products
In electrophilic aromatic substitution, the orientation of the substituent can lead to different product distributions. Meta products are formed when the electrophile attacks the carbon atom adjacent to the substituent, while ortho and para products are formed when the electrophile attacks the carbons directly next to or opposite the substituent. The relative stability and reactivity of these positions are influenced by the electronic effects of the substituents.
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Ortho, Para major products