Question

Arrange the following substituted benzenes in order of increasing reactivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS):

(a) Fluorobenzene (C₆H₅F)
(b) Chlorobenzene (C₆H₅Cl)
(c) Bromobenzene (C₆H₅Br)
(d) Iodobenzene (C₆H₅I)

Answer 1

The order of increasing reactivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) for the substituted benzenes is: Iodobenzene, Bromobenzene, Chlorobenzene, Fluorobenzene.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reactivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) can be determined by looking at the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating effects of the substituents attached to the benzene ring. Electron-withdrawing groups make the ring more reactive, while electron-donating groups make the ring less reactive.

In this case, the order of increasing reactivity in EAS for the substituted benzenes is:

1. Iodobenzene (C₆H₅I)
2. Bromobenzene (C₆H₅Br)
3. Chlorobenzene (C₆H₅Cl)
4. Fluorobenzene (C₆H₅F)

The iodine atom is the strongest electron-withdrawing group, making iodobenzene the most reactive. The reactivity decreases as you move towards fluorobenzene, which is the least reactive.