Question

Phenol is ortho and para while nitro benzene is meta during electrophilic reactions. why

Answer 1

The -OH group tends to be electron-donating because the extra electrons around the oxygen atom can be shared with the aromatic benzene ring. Thus, it contributes resonance structures that can be seen below.


As you can see, the resonance structure of the phenol molecule includes 2, 4, and 6 positions (or ortho/para positions) where those positions have a partial negative charge. This opens up these positions for possible attack by an electrophile, through the process known as electrophilic aromatic substitution.

Answer 2

Answer:

because (-OH) phenol is an activating functional group whereas (-NO2)nitro benzene is deactivating functional group