Question

Why is carboxyl group in benzoic acid meta directing?

Answer 1

The most crucial point to note is that carboxilic acid is strong electron withdrawing group and more electronegative than carbon. when attached to a benzene molecule, it withdraws substantial amount of electrons from the public system, hence causing electrophilic substitution reactions very slow and complex. Thus it leads to deactivation of the resonance of benzene pi electrons and open to reactivation by subsequent incoming groups. Therefore, cooH is strong metal director. Hope it helps.