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CSS Organic and Environmental Chemistry P-II QUESTION #1450
Question 1
What is the main product when nitrobenzene reacts with chlorine in the presence of \(\text{AlCl}_3\)?
  • Ortho-chloronitrobenzene
  • Meta-chloronitrobenzene✔️
  • Chlorobenzene
  • None of these
Correct Answer Explanation
The nitro group (\(-\text{NO}_2\)) is a strong electron-withdrawing, meta-directing group in electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS). It deactivates the ring and directs incoming electrophiles to the meta position. Therefore, when nitrobenzene undergoes chlorination with \(\text{Cl}_2/\text{AlCl}_3\), the major product is meta-chloronitrobenzene (1-chloro-3-nitrobenzene).