Question

Electrophilic substitution in benzoic acid takes place at meta position

Answer 1

electrophiles are electron loving species i.e.,they always attack at the region of maximum electron density. the electrons are delocalised in the benzene ring and are in conjugation with the -cooh group. if you draw tge structure , You will find that in each of those structures,either the ortho carbon or the para carbon acquires a positive charge. It is only the meta carbon that doesn't acquire positive charge. That is,electron density always remain maximum at the meta position. So it is quite natural that electrophile will always attack at the meta position……

Answer 2

Hey !!

- COOH is an electron withdrawing group which deactivates the benzene ring lowering the electron density at ortho and para position in comparison to meta position. Electrophiles easily attacks at meta position.

               Therefore, due to higher density at meta position electrophilic substitution takes place at meta position.

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