Question

Which is more reactive phenol or nitro benzene towards electrophilic substitutuon?

Answer 1

In phenol, hydroxyl group present is electron releasing so it increase the electron density on benzene ring so it is more reactive towards electrophilic substitution. While in nitro benzene, nitro group is electron withdrawing so it is decreasing the electron density on benzene ring thus it is less reactive. So phenol is more reactive than nitro benzene