Question

Why is it easier to introduce a nitro group in ortho and para position in phenol than in toluene

Answer 1

Answer:

Yes. It is easier to introduce a nitro group at ortho and para position in phenol than in toulene.

Explanation:

Although, Methyl and hydroxal groups, attached to benzene ring, are both activating groups but, oxygen in hydroxal group has more lone pairs than carbon in methyl group( no lone pair). That's why, oxygen donates its lone pairs to benzene ring readily due to resonance effect, helding within the benzene ring. As, hydroxyl group is activating group, so positions offered for new compounds are, ortho and para positions.