Q.

The set of meta directing functional groups from the following sets is:                 [2024]

1 CN,NH2,NHR,OCH3  
2 CN,CHO,NHCOCH3,COOR  
3 NO2,NH2,COOH,COOR  
4 NO2,CHO,SO3H,COR  

Ans.

(4)

–M groups decrease electron density at ortho and para position of benzene, thereby directing the incoming electrophile to meta position. Hence –M groups are meta directing groups for electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

Groups of the type –X = Y or –X ≡ Y act as –M groups. Among given species, NO2,CN,COR,COOH,COOR and SO3H are –M groups, hence are meta directing groups.